You should have seen some of the foil wearing isolationists that challenged some of the ideas I tried to advance after the 12 election - implying that you aren't who you say you are is usually the first chunk of bile that comes flying out.
I've been around since the 2000 election. I come here because it gives me confidence that I'm not the only one who thinks the way I do when I get my fill of MSM “liquid sunshine / stay calm, all is well” BS.
Some of the people here don't really specialize in rational debate. They'd rather fire off quasi-educated semi-witty put downs and drive you off the site.
Well, hang around. Those cats are only a small percentage of the larger group here. I've been encouraged by kindred spirits here far more often than put down by “conservative geniuses” camped out in their mother's basements.
Always remember: Anonymity and a witty nickname are a keyboard commando's best friends... well, that and his mom...
RLTW
Being called a noob has been eating away at you for months? You need a hobby.
Ping FL
STFU
That said, if Stockman is not a good candidate that is disappointing to hear, but you will need to elaborate in ways that can be validated. Newbies do sign up here to naysay opposition or to play up the supposedly conservative bonafides of not very conservative incumbents, take Mitch McConnell for instance (please).
So, there is some rational basis for suspicion, wouldn't you agree as a 13 year lurker?
I can’t believe I just read your childish prattle.
If you can’t take the heat stay out of the FR kitchen.
The Bat Ladys Husband
Since Aug 30, 2013
Hey NOOB, I found a thread for you...
Input from a noob, okay?
I can’t complain about poor treatment from anyone here. Yeah, maybe I got a little hazing from a couple of folks, but that’s FR tradition, isn’t it? And it’s entirely possible I might have been a tad bright-eyed and bushy-tailed when I jumped in. I don’t take it personally. FR has a great history, and with that comes plenty of trolls.
I think I might be on my way to becoming a real Freeper, though. How do I know that, you ask? Well, I find myself looking very carefully at folks whose signup date is newer than mine. *grin*
My advice to newbies is don’t take it personally. Just hang in, and your posts will come to speak for themselves.
To TBLH seems some here are the age of high schoolers and act accordingly. But it says a lot that after lurking you still became a member to take part in the discussion. They treat just about everyone with the same disregard but most accept it and carry on. Why? Because they do mean well and are truly descent people. All in the same boat and most times row the boat as a team. BTW, nice to meet you-a newbie myself who lurked for several years. Still getting the feet wet. FR-thanks for being here. Back to Stockman and Cornyn...Know nothing about Stockman, so any attributes you might want to share would be appreciated. Cornyn has been at bat for far too long.
You think this is bad? Go register at Zero Hedge and post something stupid like this.
I agree. People attack newbies so much that we can even raise frickin funds for this site. We chase off people due to sheer arrogance. Like saying ‘once I become a Christian I think they should slam the door shut’.
People on FR need to ease up big time. I’m donating more and more because other donations are coming in less and less. Not good for a great site.
I to was a lurker for several years going back to the nineties I think. Comment that I thought was fairly middle of the road and innocent sorta. Well, you would thought I had peed on Reagan’s grave in front of God and everybody from the reaction. It was swift and without mercy and from a crew I had noticed doing the same thing to others in the past, they probably are not here any longer but it was a coordinated effort to nail both myself and other people.
I stopped commenting for some years as I thought who needs this 5hit later I decided fork em and started commenting because even dumba55es have a right to speak. Actually I kinda like the rough and tumble which honest people engage in without the personal attacks as long as we are disagreeing on points of fact not emotional garbage.
They used to call it flaming if I remember correctly and may still for all I know so go for it. This man has a right to be heard. Period. As our fearless leader says. And a Merry Christmas, even to you pricks and you know who you are.
Bad idea in general. FR is at best a news pointer. Using it as a news source will leave you trapped in an ideological bubble and no better than a cargo cult member.
Don’t worry, I’ve been called all kinds of names and I’ve been here 13+ years.
Free Republic allows free reasonable speech, and people here are diverse, and some are unkind or inconsiderate. Yet some would give you the shirt off their own backs. In a truly free interchange, you will always get the kind of people who were rude to you. Respond with valid decent argumentation and kill ‘em with logic and knowledge.
if you ‘ve been lurking since 2000, then you must have noticed that FR now is not the FR of old.
gone are most of the stalwarts - the ones who put their ‘money where their mouth’ was...and got things done.
It seems to’ve evolved into more of a chat room in he last 2-3 years...
shame
Prepare to be branded a blog pimp. Also, how is Stockman not viable? He’d be a great senator!
There are, what? 300,000 people registered here since 1996, so the number of old guard FReepers you've heard from isn't representative of what a statistically valid sample of us would have to say.
Here's some background you should know: every primary season we get concern trolls showing up from various campaigns trying to shape opinion. They always say "I've been lurking here since 1997" and "I'm a really big fan of X, but we have to be realistic. He just can't win!"
Invariably, when you investigate the posting history of these alleged long-time lurkers you discover that they really don't post anything except stuff that aids a particular campaign and damages his opponents. You don't find them on the sci-fi threads, the rock band threads, the "not guilty" threads, the Crevo threads, or even the chats (except for vanities like yours.)
So ... if you fit the profile of a seminar caller, you will be called out. Your sole recourse is to backup what you have to say with facts. X can't win!? Prove it. Or at least make an argument.
For being an agnostic I'm taking vicious flak here on certain threads all the time. I actually like it. I don't believe in what I don't believe in just as strongly as the Christians do, and I don't criticize them simply for their passion. We exchange fire. That's the way this forum is.
As for calling old timers FR-e? Please be serious. You're advocating the tried and true position of the GOP-e in this vanity, and trying to jiu jitsu that against solid conservatives who're apoplectic over the current state of our party isn't going to be helpful to your likability quotient.
While in DC after the 2000 elections I drove by Kristinn outside Gore’s casa and yelled “Go Freepers!”. Does this mean I get to post?