Be Kind to your Fellow Freepers

today | Me

[DiogenesLamp]

I think many of us come here for some fellowship with like minded conservative allies and it makes us happy to see that we are not alone.

But, over the years I have noticed something that seems amiss to me, which is the lack of responses to people who have expressed their opinion.

Many is the time that I see a comment to which no one has replied; a situation in which no one responds to a Freeper who has expressed an opinion.

I think most, if not all of us, would likely enjoy an acknowledgement that people have read our comment and agree with it, or even that people have read it and disagree with it! (So that we can have an argument, which is something we contrarians tend to enjoy! :) )

I urge people to respond to comments from other Freepers, especially if that comment is directed at you. I encourage Freepers to acknowledge the people who have posted a message to you, because we all want to believe our opinions matter and are worthy of consideration.

At the very least give them a "+1" (which means "UpVote") to indicate you've read their comment and agree with it. A more thoughtful reply is even better!

Let people know you care what they think and are not indifferent to their existence.

Not only should this boost the amount of traffic on Free Republic, it should encourage a happier more pleasant experience for all participants. It may even lead to more people wanting to join Free Republic!

[subterfuge]

I think this is just common sense.

I’d be happy with a few less “your opinion is stupid” posts.

[T.B. Yoits]

Politeness, too often, is used to mask intent.

Adults understand that not everyone who fights you is your enemy as not everyone who cheers you is your friend.

[mabarker1]

I try to respond to everyone as much as possible but I know I miss some here and there.

[Deaf and Discerning]

Here are some replies I make:

- Oops forgive me, I’m often wrong (which is true)
- Thank you correcting me (especially when I only minutely disagree)
- Wow, this time you bring something new. I like that one!
- I never thought of it that way
- That is what my wife said to me this morning!
- That is what I said to my wife yesterday!
- Your comment sounds much better than what I say when I see myself in a mirror.
- You don’t sound anything like my older brother.
- I’ve not introduced myself. I am D&D and I would like to meet you.
- I’m sorry, but both my hearing aid batteries just went kaput. Stupid me, I forgot to bring spares.
- I lie, check a fake text on my phone, and “I’m sorry I have to take this”, smile, shrug my shoulders, and walk away.
- I point at my hearing aids, and deliberately garble

[philman_36]

None of the FR links to it work any longer.
It was always good for a laugh.

[DiogenesLamp]

Your post sounds a little to much like “Can’t we all get along” nonsense.

I knew I didn't get the wording quite right, but sometimes it is difficult to convey the point to come across exactly as you mean it.

I don't necessarily want us to get along. I like a good fight over some particular insignificant issue. Nobody enjoys pointless arguments more than me!

What I am shooting for is for people to recognize we all deserve some acknowledgement when we take the time to respond to someone's message.

I think it would boost traffic here, and I think that increases the value of this website to the owners. I think the country needs Free Republic, and I would like to see it grow.

[DiogenesLamp]

A simple thumbs up or thanks is always cool!😀

Yes. You don't have to wonder if they read it or not. :)

[MinorityRepublican]

I think many of us come here for some fellowship with like minded conservative allies and it makes us happy to see that we are not alone.

I notice that there's a lack of decorum. It used to be that we would agree to disagree.

Now you're getting attacked for having a different opinion.

We're all on the same side. Some of us are libertarians. Many of us are conservatives. We do not agree on everything. That's okay.

[Mark]

“Freeper comments MATTER”.

[subterfuge]

We lose a lot of good FReepers every 4 years during primary season. The Trump/Cruz arguments flushed a whole lot of them down the drain.

There are a couple of posters I will absolutely not respond to to this day because they were such jerks about primaries. They know who they are.

[Jamestown1630]

I’m sure I first saw it on Usenet.

[Sirius Lee]

I notice that there's a lack of decorum. It used to be that we would agree to disagree.

Disagree! There were always flame wars. Always will be.

[nesnah]

Disagree! There were always flame wars. Always will be.

---

Better listen up. He’s Sirius.

[subterfuge]

Hey, let’s you and him fight!

JK. But I do enjoy a good dust-up between others if I’m being honest.

You don’t have to respond to this! Aack!

[MinorityRepublican]

Disagree! There were always flame wars. Always will be.

Flame wars are fine.

Personal attacks are not.

Too often, it becomes personal on this forum.

Especially with Russo-Ukrainian threads.

[metmom]

There are a few I refuse to respond to as well, but for other reasons.

I’ve even told them I would no longer not only post to them but not even read their posts to me, so not bother even trying.

And they still do. And I still ignore them.

[Sirius Lee]

Well you’re just a poop head, and you smell like a poop, and you eat poop, and your breath smells like poop, and you look like a poop, and you walk around with poop in your shoes, and you wear poop shoes, and a poop necktie with a Windsor knot that looks like a poop.

[MinorityRepublican]

Well you’re just a poop head, and you smell like a poop, and you eat poop, and your breath smells like poop, and you look like a poop, and you walk around with poop in your shoes, and you wear poop shoes, and a poop necktie with a Windsor knot that looks like a poop.

Ha. This one is okay. I can detect /s lol

[Scott from the Left Coast]

I think I gotta poop

[kawhill]

I’m a dude, at least I was the last time I looked in the mirror!