Opus de Darth Sidious

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[Texaggie79]

Well, it was a fun ride and I made a LOT of great friends on Free Republic... including one who came to my wedding. But nothing lasts forever, and maybe in a way it's a *good* thing, 'cuz there's no convincing some people that no increase in power makes that power any more pure.

JimRob has drummed me out of Free Republic. Here's the reason he put on the screen that popped up on my end:

Your posting privilege has been revoked.

Reason: Democrat

Now, I'm not a Democrat. Haven't been one since 1994 when I changed to Republican, and haven't changed that (yet).

If JimRob is now banning people because he believes they are Democrats, he's obliterated any credibility that Free Republic has as a *conservative* forum. Conservatism espouses a free marketplace of ideas. A dissenting idea isn't something a conservative tries to muzzle: a conservative will articulate why it that idea is wrong, make his point as convincing as possible, and let the chips fall where they may. It's LIBERALS who shut off people they disagree with from entering into debate.

I've been accused of being a Democrat, an agitator, a disruptor... any number of things. I've done my damndest to promote this site in what meager ways I've been left with these past few years. Hell, I stood for four hours - for the most part alone except for an hour with another fellow Freeper - on a summer day when the mercury hit 102, to protest an UN-Constitutional practice by a nearby city. On my sign was "FreeRepublic.com". My own money, my own principles, and no one ever asked me to do it. I'll wager that that as small a thing that was, it's a helluva lot more than what most people have done in their time on Free Republic.

Today, I presented an idea - one that wasn't Republican or Democrat, or any other party's notion - that is apparently unwelcome on this forum. My belief is this: that we cannot trust a political party - ANY political party - with any great amount of power, because political parties are about nothing but power. Given enough power, the Republicans would become as corrupt and evil as the Democrats. Maybe it was my comparing the Bush-bots to the Clintonistas. Maybe it was my stating that Free Republic is fast becoming as wildly extremist as Democratic Underground. Or maybe it was my admission that, yes, I *will* vote for Erskine Bowles for U.S. Senator from North Carolina. Between the two major contenders, Bowles is the only one who is a real resident of this state... and my sentiments for North Carolina far outweigh the "needs" of any political party.

For whatever reason it was, JimRob banned me... but if it was for the crime of *once* being a Democrat, that demonstrates how shallow Free Republic is becoming. I've no love or loyalty for the Democratic party and the Republicans have given me no reason why my trust should be placed with them.

I suppose there's no room at Free Republic anymore for those of us who see America's freedom as a gift from God's grace rather than man's pride.

Sincerely, Christopher Knight "Darth Sidious"

[uglybiker]

at least more conservative than the Demos are willing to accept.

They could be wearing Mao suits and the Dems would claim they're too conservative.

[Sabertooth]

Why not be courageous and mature enough to ping Mr. Robinson, the owner of the server you are squatting on, who alone made the decision to let Darth have a timeout and for his own good reasons? All you are doing is talking behind his back in a very dishonest fashion. Must be one of those 'principle' thangs we hear about.

I wouldn't call it being courageous, I'd call it being a gentleman.

And I did just as you suggested a couple of hours ago.

Anything else, Mr. Jihad?

[Sabertooth]

You've been here since '97, and you still don't know my sarcasm?

I'm gonna hurl.

[MeekOneGOP]

.....Banning those who criticize the two power parties will only reinforce the perception that politcal correctness has taken hold. Constitutional Correctness is all that truly matters. PC be damned.

With each passing day and with much passing legislation I am reminded of the geniousness of our founders. What saddens me most is our failure to share in their vision.

Your point is well taken. However, a bull in a China shop, while amusing for a while, gets expensive for the owner. I think the owner probably got too many complaints and so forth and had to cut him loose.

And, if those comments attributed to Darth are actually his and he feels that DIMocRATS better represents his point of view (and he would vote for the 'RATS just to spite the GOP), then he would probably be more happy with the sad folks over on DU or another such place. (And, btw, I know Jim Robinson allows MUCH more leeway prior to bannings than DU does).

Just my 2 cents, understand.....

[MeekOneGOP]

......and it sounds to me like this is going to be only a temporary banning, or timeout, anyway. Do I perceive that correctly?

[MeekOneGOP]

Gee, isn't this great? Banning people for not voting the way you want them to! What a great tradition to stand up for! The true American spirit in action!

FR is in danger of becoming what its detractors falsely accuse it of being.

See my #308, #384-385......

[Tennessee_Bob]

but use logic and facts rather than shouting and pounding the table.

So, where do we submit the names to be banned, Billybob? After all, you just described a great number of people on FR, and if JimRob is starting to clean it up, then we need to keep on going.

[Kevin Curry]

Or maybe it was my admission that, yes, I *will* vote for Erskine Bowles for U.S. Senator from North Carolina.

That was probably it. It would certainly be sufficient.

'Bye, Darth. Hope your poll-booth tryst with an unabashed socialist is as sweet as your breathless anticipation of it.

[Neets]

Yes, you are quite right in your perception...but alas..we MUST put the most devious and scandalous spin on it as possible....same as we did when Reg got sent to the time-out chair.

[Kevin Curry]

I'd vote for a conservative/libertarian Dem . . .

Of course you would. A great many libertarians here would. I've been making that point for many months here.

BTW, with the possible exception of Sen. Zell Miller, "conservative Dem" is an oxymoron--espicially when the election of a Dem of any kind would ensure that the Senate is kept under Democrat control.

[AppyPappy]

No. The "FR is DU" slam is a codeword for "please ban me". Wink wink, nod nod.

[snopercod]

Arlen "single bullet" Specter? I pity you.

What FR really needs to do to channel all this hostility into something productive is to start a "Repeal the 17th Amendment" drive.

If that could be accomplished, you would be rid of Specter, and I would be rid of Dole.

[Eagle Eye]

My belief is this: that we cannot trust a political party - ANY political party - with any great amount of power, because political parties are about nothing but power.

Freepers often spout wisdom from the founder, as if they believe it.

Washington warned us of foreign entanglements and of political parties. FR seems to advocate both nowadays.

[MeekOneGOP]

You know, I didn't even realize when Registered got his time out until he was back. He posted a graph/image upon return and I noticed an exchange between he and Jim Rob on that thread that led me to find out he was suspended.

Then right after that, I posted one of his graphs that caused a big flare up and it got pulled. I've posted that graph many times as a picture and it never got pulled nor caused much of any stir until after Reg's suspension was over. (I've only put it here as a link for illustration purposes only. Not intended to offend, okay folks?). Hmmm??....

[Cyber Liberty]

I was cranky. Sorry.

Time for CL to extend his much needed rest from FR....

[Constitution Day]

No problem CL.
I get that way sometimes too; Mrs. CD can attest.

I hope you also got my FRmail.

FRegards,
CD

[jjm2111]

Tribune, with respect to senate control you are 100% right. When senate control comes down to it, I might even vote for Darth Vader to take Daschle out of majority leadership.

But there are a few principled Dems. (Not many, but a few). Zell Millar is pretty much a genuine conservative. There were quite a few conservative Dems until they switched parties, and I'm sure there's still a few left in Texas, Wyoming, etc.

All this argument is rather academic. I live in the People's Democratic Socialist Republic of New Jersey, home of the country's highest auto insurance rates (thanks to Marxist profit capping). I wouldn't vote for a NJ Dem if someone had a gun to my head (which is entirely possible because legal gun ownership is so restricted here).

I just disagreed with the reasons why Darth Sidious was banned.

[jjm2111]

"She's also the brainiac who brought about the nationwide 55 MPH speed limit. That gives you some idea of how long it's been since she's driven herself anywhere"

I had forgotton about that. Another reason why if I lived in NC, I'd hesistate to vote for her.

[jjm2111]

"Of course not! Giddy Dolt will have you know Giddy Dolt is a STRONG supporter of the 2nd Amendment! That was her evil twin mouthing off about trigger locks,people shouldn't be ALLOWED to carry concealed weapons,liking the "ugly rifle" ban,and other such nonsense."

Another reason not to let her roam the halls of power in the senate. Why can't Republicans annoite true conservatives, not these liberals dressed conservatively?

[jjm2111]

Is Zell on the judiciary committee?