Lando 
Posted on 04/01/2005 4:26:00 PM PST by Poohbah
First, this is NOT an April Fool's joke.
I am leaving Free Republic.
Over the past two years, civility and thoughtful discourse has vanished from this site, replaced with demands for ideological conformity that are straight out of Stalinist Russia or China's Great Cultural Revolution, and unrelenting uncivility if said conformance is not forthcoming. This trend began with the California recall election, where certain posters were allowed to flame the living beejezus out of those who didn't wholeheartedly support Tom McClintock, or thought that he wasn't running a campaign capable of winning. It extended into the Keyes campaign last year, where any critique of Keyes' campaign strategy was shrilly flamed, despite the obviously flawed execution of his campaign.
(Aside: one person who flamed me during the Keyes mess later said that he hadn't intended to start a fight with his remarks that accused me of homosexuality, pedophilia, and other evils; I was instantly reminded of the time I had to bail one of my Marines out of the local lockup. "Honest, Sarge," this Marine told me, "I didn't mean to start a fight when I called that Army Ranger a faggot." My response was not [and still isn't] suitable for public consumption.)
Since then, the Terri Schiavo case has pushed FR over the edge. We had posts calling for people to ensure that "accidents" to befall Schiavo and Judge Greer. We had posts praying that Iran would soon develop nuclear weapons, so that they could destroy the United States. And until the FBI started making arrests, those posts were allowed to stay up, completely abnegating Free Republic's standards.
We had people on both sides of the issue point out that the Schindlers were associating with some people of extremely low character, and that our uncritical embrace of these parties would not rebound to our favor. Rather reasonable attitudes to take, actually; but the loudest of the loud were in no mood to think.
My personal favorite was the following exchange:
The issue is not legality, but public opinion. Which will not be helped in this case if the pro-Terry side becomes associated in the media with Christian Identity, white supremicists, neo-nazis, racists and/or anti-semites.
Diva Betsy Ross made a valiant attempt to...ahem...whitewash Christian Identity, but it didn't work.
To top things off, we had people embracing as some sort of conservative icon, to the extent of posting a fundraising link.
I always thought that conservatism valued thinking over feeling, careful contemplation of facts over wild-eyed repetition of every damn rumor to come down the pipe, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. For a while, Free Republic met those criteria in spades.
Those days are long gone, and I have serious doubt as to whether or not they're coming back.
I know that many of the usual suspects will cheer this on, as their longtime nemesis is leaving them the field.
Be careful what you wish for; you are in the process of getting it. You may succeed in driving the folks who disagree with you from the site; but you will end up being just another collection of shrill voices in Bedlam. When everything is an over-the-top scream, no one will be heard.
Farewell.
There were plenty of people salivating for Terri's death. They know who they are (and protest too much).
Bwahahaha!! Now my hubby's looking at me cuz I am laughing so loud I'm starting to choke!
I still think the Nazi comparison is quite apt.
The TS threads were cram-packed with cheap shots, and your delicate sensitivities have been ruffled by one now? I appreciate the challenges you must face in herding all the cats on the board, but sheesh, why get defensive about one little swipe in an opus?
Nothing to see here. Please move along.
Lando
From what I could tell, a little group of FReepers always saw those posts because they were out in force looking for them. Whenever I saw a post that nutty, it usually didn't take long before I'd see one of that little group pinging all their friends to it.
It's a short quote. You don't need to paraphrase it, especially when you do it so disingenuously.
Then perhaps your reasonable, sane arse should post an opus.
If I leave here tomorrow
Would you still remember me?
For I must be travelling on, now,
’cause there’s too many places I’ve got to see.
But, if I stayed here with you, girl,
Things just couldn’t be the same.
’cause I’m as free as a bird now,
And this bird you can not change.
Lord knows, I can’t change.
Bye, bye, it’s been a sweet love.
Though this feeling I can’t change.
But please don’t take it badly,
’cause lord knows I’m to blame.
But, if I stayed here with you girl,
Things just couldn’t be the same.
Cause I’m as free as a bird now,
And this bird you’ll never change.
And this bird you can not change.
Lord knows, I can’t change.
Lord help me, I can’t change
What remains of the party base??? LOLOLOLOLOL
The party hasn't had this solid of a base since Calvin Coolidge, and if we can get a chunk of the blacks (50 percent pro-Terri, btw) and Hispanics the Dems are gone.
I thought I just said vanities because it has been all the way around. I didn't realize I said pro-Terri vanities. Some of the dumbest vanities I have ever seen in my life have been popping up recently.
Think you should have to be on here for so long before you can do a vanity and most would have not been put up.
Nonsense, IMO.
One warning from the ownership would have stopped it dead in its tracks.
Okay...TWO warnings.
Either way, they always clean themselves out of the FReecosphere eventually, and all remains as it was. Nobody is essential to this forum, but anyone can contribute, that's the beauty of it. Sure folks with early signup dates get some extra slack, as is due for one's loyalty and contributions, but there's no immunity from self-inflicted wounds.
well you are welcome... (for what?) :]
I'm tracking with ya, Lando. Completely.
Not much of a rebuttal, but I get a feeling that further discussion between you and me will not be particularly productive.
Poohbah most likely would agree.
Exactly right. Good post, PhiKapMom. Of course, the unappeasables will argue with you. LOL
However what has happened has happened, it is a very good thing for the religion forum.
I thought they would of been in good spirits. What went wrong?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-backroom/1373116/posts
easier than explaining it
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