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Why We Post...
Irritation at the pundits | 21-November-2004 | Ron Pickrell

Posted on 11/20/2004 9:58:40 PM PST by pickrell

The mainstream media has recently begun a quest to answer puzzling questions. What is this "internet business", and why do those "blog" guys post there? If they don't get paid like we do, why do they bother? And why are they being taken seriously? After all, WE are the ones who have our press passes and our official government-agent decoder-rings.

After watching, on the 24 hour cable shows, an endless stream of guest panels- all comprised of journalists interviewing themselves, I thought that I'd take a stab at answering them myself.

Why do we post? We post because you "journalists" have long ago abandoned your original function of providing meaningful, undistorted news. You have no apparent interest in expanding the collective knowledge of Americans, and you've never had any interest in providing a forum for the free exchange and counterchallenges of new ideas. You've apparently decided that the news business is somewhat like the QVC or the Home Shopping Network, selling those altered Morgan silver dollars.

You've removed the patina, that tarnish earned with age, along with the accumulated dings of hard use that the coin wore with pride, by "whizzing it" with a soft wire brush to create an artificially shiny surface, shorn of all reality, and thereby stripped of all value excepting it's base metal. You've mistaken glitter for worth, and you just assume that we in flyover country can't tell the difference.

Your new coin of the realm is packaged with blow-dried hair and a trade-mark baritone voice to convince the viewer that he is getting the real deal. You've decided that the network anchor is the product that you sell, and that his personal views are writ large in stone. Since your audience decreases as time passes, and your hard-left political alignment isn't rethought, we must assume that this doesn't bother you.

Why do we post? Because here, at Freerepublic, you are looking at the epicenter of conservative thought in the future. This is ground zero, where the next political ideas are tasted and tested, to destruction if necessary, in order to help facilitate the retirement dreams of the next 20 liberal Senators. We work to help them free themselves of the burdensome need to obstruct, on a full-time basis, the return of the U.S. to rational policies.

By helping them along into retirement, we make possible their smooth transition into the picket-line career field, the professional demonstrator slot, or even for a few, the MSM network "former political expert" job. Some may even aspire to win the coveted Nobel prize in the "most damage done to a nation" category.

We help because we care. We're clearly just warm, fuzzy conservatives...

And yet, what they say is true. Instead of joining the mainstream journalists like you, whose idea of running with the big dogs is taking on the "Cuyahoga County Cooties" touch-football team...we instead place ourselves onto the arena floor of the Colosseum. This is the equivalent of lining up against all of the combined offensive lines of the best NFL teams simultaneously! This is the Superbowl of ideas, and it's a full-contact sport. Insert your mouthguard, and wear your cup. Because down here, the other team gets their first downs also.

The mainstream media has always constructed an impenetrable moat of control around themselves, that even the illusion of airing viewer mail at the end of each performance doesn't conceal. Yes, even Fox News controls which viewer letters are aired, giving the network star absolute control over screening out the difficult questions. Pay no attention to that man in front of the curtain.

They all play a game where only THEY get to handle the football. The only reality is what Dan Rather sadly reports, with that trademark concern for all of us rubes firmly stapled to his face. The only reality to be permitted will be found in that socialist "little red book" of Chairman Mouth. It's not what the expert said...it's what Dan Rather told you he said.

But the arena floor of Freerepublic allows the proponent of any idea to have his say, un-shouted down by Chris Mathews and his fellows. He can make his best case...while Buckhead quietly twirls his trident, Lepton plays with the edge of his sword, and Advil slowly whirls his chains to warm them up. Here, the crowd is unimpressed by glittery silver dollars cast into the dust in hopes of distracting the mob.

Here, the commenters are arrayed in battle gear around the proponent, waiting their chance to immediately weigh in on his post. For he has just entered...the Spotlight Zone.

To put it in perspective for you, Ms. Tottenberg,- you know that paper shredder that you feed your script into at the end of your broadcasts? Well, here in the Freeper-Bowl, they improve on that with the 'crosscut shredder'. After the first commentor slices your thoughts into ribbons, the next guy comes along and further cuts the ribbons into confetti. You are so used to getting away unchallenged with phrases like "those discredited swiftboat vets...", "it is well documented that..." and the perennial favorite "Recognized experts say...", that you can no longer comprehend having to defend your sloppy thinking and your extreme bias.

He who would opine on our turf is advised to leave his mainstream "free passes" at home. They are unrecognized coin in this realm. And he'd better know his stuff. For the Freepers will forgive the occasional typo, but they're buzz saws about the "thinko". This is where the metal gets heated to incandescence, hammered into shape, and then inspected for flaws. Those found wanting get tossed back into the furnace. This is the kill box for the unprepared.

Why, then, post in this, the toughest enviroment around? On other forums, the rules exclude any trace of non-conformist thought. This is apparent from their posted rules. It's an exponentially easier matter to opine when no dissent is allowed. But here, the thoughts of all are welcomed.. for dissection if necessary..for ridicule when called for. We even pull in the other sides' thoughts for them, and display them unedited...for lunch.

I am reminded, every time I work up the nerve to hit that 'post' button, of the phrase immortalized by that systems engineer in "Jurassic Park", as he's about to shut down the computer security. As I finally commit by pressing 'post (and fry!)', I can see that cigarette smoked down to the filter, and his nervous "Hold onto your butts..!" flashes through my mind anew. But when you later can earn a grudging "Not too shabby, gyrene!" or a "A fair post!", you understand that you've survived the first trial by fire. You made a point and invited examination and criticism.

If our Marines can do the shooting and the bleeding over in Fallujah, then we at home at least owe it to them to do what we can over here, to insist on future government policies that reduce the chances that other nations, and the stateless madmen around, will mistake our debate for weakness. As the sounding board for the core of the conservative movement, we do the best we can to pressure wobbly Pennsylvania Senators, and take the flank of 250 highly decorated former veterans called back yet again to expose the truth intentionally embargoed on prime time.

You see, it's more important than a Pulitzer Prize. It's so that our daughters can be valued, and will learn to value themselves. It's so that our sons can learn what is expected of them by society, by honor, and by God. It's so that the blood sacrifices of our parents shall not be squandered on self-destructive programs that shred the fabric of our society.

It's THAT important.

Freerepublic needs to grow into THE pre-eminent think tank, (with a 100,000 strong control group expanding into several millions in the Colosseum stands), that explores the strengths and weaknesses of policies before they hit the Senate floor. If you don't want to face the fire by initiating a post, then at least challenge with the insightful comments that are the trademark of most Freerepublic thinkers, and so different from the 'inciteful' comments elsewhere. In the years to come I expect a wave of reason to further heat up the national debate. And we want in on it, stones and arrows be damned! This is where the action will be...not on your scripted hatchet shows, targeting "those evangelical... religious... god... people" that seem to both puzzle and vex you so badly.

But let's leave the left behind, as usual, and concentrate on the future. If you are nervous about even commenting, then at least follow and absorb the debates. And by all means HIT THAT CONTRIBUTE BUTTON on the Freerepublic homepage this Christmas, with your VISA card in hand, and do your part to keep this forum financed. Use that $ 50.00 you were going to buy that Bruce Springsteen ticket with, and instead be a part of what will expand and improve into the cultivar of the next generation of conservative voters. Put your money where your mouse is. Or try to explain to your kids later why things went the way they did.

When you first get off of the bus at THIS Parris Island, (motto "Check the spellin', We ain't a resort for gay Frenchmen"), you may be shocked at first hearing 2111USMC dressing down a newbie, while General "Big Jim" Robinson suppresses or at least hides a grin, up on the reviewing stand. Some curses may slip out in the heat of indoctrination, but the training will pay off.

"We can't be regimented, and we may have our divisions, but you can be sure that in our company...you will prevail in the culture wars." (You'll just have to suffer the occasional mixed military metaphors, and strings of civilian similes...!)

We make our little jokes so that we don't take ourselves too seriously; but what we do here is dead serious. This is where the action will be when the conservative platform is reshaped and reassembled. This is where those of us who are too old to enlist, too fat to fight, and too ugly to run for office can make a difference. It is here where we can trade our experiences and viewpoints, and maybe offer some insight to the young troops.

Sergeants Norski, Ginifer, and a bunch like them recruited me and other newbies with a paraphrase of our Marines...

"We're looking for a few good thoughts..."

And THAT'S why we post here. Capiche?

Pickrell


TOPICS: Philosophy
KEYWORDS: bloggers; fr; freerepublic; msm; talkers; thinkers
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1 posted on 11/20/2004 9:58:40 PM PST by pickrell
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To: pickrell

I doubt anyone will read your post from start to end. Next time, be pithy if you wish to opine.


2 posted on 11/20/2004 10:00:02 PM PST by BCrago66
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To: pickrell
Why do we post?

We want the truth.

3 posted on 11/20/2004 10:00:39 PM PST by Nachum (You can't stand the truth!!)
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To: pickrell

I read it all.


4 posted on 11/20/2004 10:04:56 PM PST by ChicagoRighty (Surrounded by libbies and damn tired of it!)
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To: Nachum
I post to learn, and I've learned alot! I pass on my knowledge to those that wish to learn, who will pass...

And it beats having BORING small talk with people who know very little about the world around them, well except what is fed to them from sitcoms and MSM.
5 posted on 11/20/2004 10:06:33 PM PST by endthematrix ("Hey, it didn't hit a bone, Colonel. Do you think I can go back?" - U.S. Marine)
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To: pickrell

Capiche.!! Good Post. I printed a copy for a Pal of mine.
Hope you don't mind.


6 posted on 11/20/2004 10:08:01 PM PST by Pompah (The price of greatness is responsibility)
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To: pickrell

Wonderful! Thank you!


7 posted on 11/20/2004 10:08:40 PM PST by Judith Anne (Thank you St. Jude for favors granted.)
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To: pickrell

Re: It's THAT important.

It's REALLY addicting!


8 posted on 11/20/2004 10:08:57 PM PST by endthematrix ("Hey, it didn't hit a bone, Colonel. Do you think I can go back?" - U.S. Marine)
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To: pickrell
I read it all. It was very good.



Thanks for the logo Safrguns!

9 posted on 11/20/2004 10:10:27 PM PST by LiberalBassTurds (Islam is a religion of peace. Strange every murdering psychopath in the world is attracted to it.)
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To: pickrell

Enjoyed your essay.


10 posted on 11/20/2004 10:12:22 PM PST by Cold Heat (There is more to do! "Mr. Kerry, about that Navy discharge?")
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To: pickrell

Where does one donate?


11 posted on 11/20/2004 10:12:43 PM PST by nothernlights
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To: pickrell
Why do we post:?

It's for us to know, and for them to find out.

They'll NEVER get it.

12 posted on 11/20/2004 10:13:37 PM PST by Miss Behave (Beloved daughter of Miss Creant, and proud mother of Miss Hap.)
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To: pickrell
Well, here in the Freeper-Bowl, they improve on that with the 'crosscut shredder'. After the first commentor slices your thoughts into ribbons, the next guy comes along and further cuts the ribbons into confetti. You are so used to getting away unchallenged with phrases like "those discredited swiftboat vets...", "it is well documented that..." and the perennial favorite "Recognized experts say...", that you can no longer comprehend having to defend your sloppy thinking and your extreme bias.

I love the challenge of the high standards here. The MSM has almost no standards left.

13 posted on 11/20/2004 10:14:23 PM PST by Yaelle
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To: BCrago66
"I doubt anyone will read your post from start to end. Next time, be pithy if you wish to opine.'

Why, you must be one of them thread police I've been hearing about.

14 posted on 11/20/2004 10:14:32 PM PST by WarPaint (Nuke mecca. Be done with it.)
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To: pickrell

Well said.


15 posted on 11/20/2004 10:14:37 PM PST by JSteff
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To: pickrell; jimrob

Nicely done and said!


16 posted on 11/20/2004 10:15:28 PM PST by NYTexan
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To: pickrell
BRAVO! AUTHOR! AUTHOR! Wish I'd written that. Amen.
17 posted on 11/20/2004 10:17:59 PM PST by The Spirit Of Allegiance
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To: LiberalBassTurds
I read it all. It was very good.

I concur.

18 posted on 11/20/2004 10:20:10 PM PST by EGPWS
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To: LiberalBassTurds

love the gif


19 posted on 11/20/2004 10:21:55 PM PST by GeronL (I thought I was moving today, its been postponed till Sunday, I think)
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To: BCrago66

I read it from start to finish! LOL and enjoyed doing so.

But I assume you mean anyone to whom it is "addressed." Another Question , if they do, will they finally get it? I doubt it, that would take Wanting to get it.


20 posted on 11/20/2004 10:22:08 PM PST by gidget7 (God Bless America, and our President George W. Bush)
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