Clowns just scare the bleep out of me, second only to mimes, who usually just piss me off.
Krusty is what is in the corners of your eyes when you wake up : )
Posted on 04/01/2005 9:51:33 PM PST by Bob J
For those of you who don’t know, Jim and the mods treat old timers a little different than newbies. They get a little more slack, a few more mulligans than those who signed up in last four years or so.
I always wondered if that was a good policy. After all, why should the crusty buggers be treated any differently than someone who signed up last week? Are they more intelligent, are their arguments more cohesive…persuasive? Do they have any more or less to contribute to this community we call the Free Republic? Not necessarily.
But they do have one thing new participants don’t and that is perspective. In a way us curmudgeons can help provide a sense of continuity and historical perspective to events that newcomers cannot. Sometimes, we are the glue the bridges Free Republic from one crisis to the next. I believe the recent Sciavo issue is one of those times so I am going to ante again and prove to Jim that his investment is worthy of it’s returns. I ask other old timers to chime in and pull their weight as well.
The Forum has a history of going through upheavels in terms of political philosophy and/or cultural standards, this is not unusual for a community such as outs. The first thing we need to understand is that the conservative movement is made up of many individuals with different motivations. For example, some are economic minded, some are culturally based, some are second amendment supporters and others view their vision on religious principles. Sometimes these differences can cause us to reevaluate our alliances. But that would be a mistake. The left is counting on us tearing ourselves apart from within for that is the very philosophy upon which their strategy is based…foment division and hatred then attack at the breach. It has worked well for them in the past and they count on it working again for them now and in the future.
My humble opinion and suggestion to all is in these times of contention and confusion, that we remind ourselves who the real enemy is and where the battles ought to be fought. On more than one occasion I have had firefights on FR with individuals who later I found myself sitting next to in a foxhole when we were fighting the real enemy…the militant left. I berated myself for some of the things I had posted and wished I could take them back. For here was my true brother or sister, sitting in the foxhole with me, taking hits with me, helping to lead the bravest charge at our direst moment. How could I have been so thoughtless in my moment of indulgence?
We may divided, on occasion, but let’s not lose sight of the fact that we are all brothers and sisters fighting the good fight against those who would enslave us and our children into bondage for generations. Argue the good argument, stand on principle, but let’s not forget we are all ultimately on the same team. The man or woman you trash today might be the brave soul who saves your behind tomorrow.
Let’s keep out eye on the ball.
Hey Bob J, this sounds like the same old argument that is made every two years. Don't abandon ship, or we are all sunk.
For some reason after all these years we are still fighting the same battles.
How are we supposed to get real change when the same people that have neither backbone nor conviction continue to get elected just because they are the lesser evil?
Wouldn't it make more sense, if one really wanted change, to withdraw from the status quo', then to continually perpetuate it out of fear of what might happen? Would we not be better off with a semi-strong third party, than to be saddled with our compromised two party government?
I will be happy to fight along side anyone here as long as we are fighting the same battles. Unfortunately those we have elected to fight for us are continually being distracted by other issues less important to many,if not all conservatives, simply because they are not conservatives themselves. In many cases the only conservative ideal they hold is the right to life, otherwise they are either fiscal or social liberals. But the right to life issue is so strong that it holds even the most conservative captive to a less than desirable candidate.
I will make a bold prediction, if Roe V Wade is not over turned by Bush appointees within 5 years or less, you will see a mass exodus of social conservatives from the republican party.
".....this is not unusual for a community such as outs."
Why would I want to read stuff with typos? /sarcasm
VERY good points.
I caught a bit of Michael Savage today. He was talking to some woman caller about her lack of love for her husband. He asked if her husband had an enemy. Then he read something out of a book by a gal with a failing marriage until her husband was attacked by the media or something. She rallied around her husband, the marriage became great again, the exitement in the bedroom, etc.
The trick is to keep a strong marriage based on your common goals while allowing each person to concentrate on their strengths. Although a common enemy makes a good story to bring us together (like the old '50s alien attack movies), the enemy is not always so clear. (At least when it's not an election year!)
I had that same reaction when reading that post. Liked the rest of your analysis as well. Level-headed thinking is what seperates a web forum from a chat room, and responses like yours are what seperate FR from other forums.
?? Is there a list of 'The Revered 500 or So' somewhere? ;-)
But seriously, a great sentiment in the original post.
You're right. Being a student of dirty tricks since before the Donald Segretti days, I have often noticed, on variant political threads over the years, the very sly machinations of those who come here who either want to apologize for Democrat's actions, or in a different way, attempt to bring outright disrepute to some Republicans and conservatives' actions. It sometimes seems to be done with great dexterity however.
As you say, "constant vigilance is a must."
On the humorous side, I'm still real proud of Karl Rove getting Osama to make that tape a few days before the election. And this trap of Karl's: "A photograph posted on an Islamist Web site appears to be that of an action figure (Cody) and not a U.S. soldier being held hostage" was Karl's greatest. Really made those terrorists look desperate. ;-)
Btw, here's wondering if there can be a new term (between 'newbie' and 'oldtimer') for someone who has spent around six and a half years, about three hours a day seven days a week reading threads on FR, but has not posted all those years? 'Lurker' isn't positive enough, how about an AQA, 'a quiet admirer'?
;-)
I have often been concerned about the public face of conservatism when episodes occur like we have seen the last few days. The divisions and rancor we have seen are also seen by those who wish to divide the conservative movement.
I sometimes think the mainstream media reads FR to see how effective they are in their campaign of dividing the right. How often I have seen ranting over a New York Times article because people take it at face value and go off into tirades!
I would ask everyone to think that this forum is for persuading people of differing points of view; one cannot persuade by insults and attacks.
At any rate, when things get too nutty here, I find it helpful to work in the garden, clean a bathroom, or start something for dinner. I am not leaving because this site has given me a voice, like-minded friends, and a window on the world I would never have imagined possible.
Convenient isn't it that that "slap on the wrist" Berger news comes out right during all this Terri turmoil and on the day of all the sad news of the Pope. There is nearly no news of the "punishment" of Berger. That "punishment" is an outrage. A misdemeanor?
This one bit of news (Berger non-news) should show how troubled our government has become. Seeing Berger make his speech about making "an honest mistake" nearly made me puke!
And as an old Army Security Agency guy, seeing him get his government clearance back in three years is a disgusting joke. The guy should never get it back, and he should have spent at least 10-15 years in jail.
Think of what he actually did...... and to top it off, during the investigation of 9/11. Disgusting.
He should be in the same cell block as Ames or Hanssen.
Two systems of justice . . . it's a travishamockery.
.... a pound and a half of sharp cheddar cheese.
;-)
BTT!!!!!!!
Yeh, I'm sure he's cooperating! (sarcasm off) This is beyond sick. This really is indicative of most of what is wrong with our government and our country. And above it all, just look at the non-scrutiny and lack of scorn toward Berger from the old media! Imagine if Condi Rice had done that! How would she have been treated by the media? I guess we know. This should be a STARK WARNING as to how Hillary will be outrightly protected and promoted by the media going up to November 2008!
Berger is still lying. He stole and destroyed documents for Clinton (and Hillary/2008).
I got into very few threads about the schaivo case. Why bother? What is gained by choosing sides on FR and pummeling those that don't agree with my pristine clarity on the issue? ;?/)
Sometimes people need to just step back from FR to get perspective. There is more to life than FR. Get outside, talk to a friend about something other than politics. Go spend time with ones you love.
The Schiavo case should drive that home. Life is precious. When you look back over your life, will you regret the time spent keyboard pounding and hours frittered away arguing with your allies?
FR is making a difference, don't screw it up. If you're not happy here, just leave and leave quietly. How many people would trash a friends house after living there for years? It is very petty or maybe just a way to gain attention to pee on the floor before you leave.
If you're not having fun and learning a great deal about life, politics and how to beat socialists silly with facts, why are you here?
Clowns just scare the bleep out of me, second only to mimes, who usually just piss me off.
Krusty is what is in the corners of your eyes when you wake up : )
.... as is her pantsuit.
Sorry, could not resist.
;-)
This is excellent!
I am so glad that I found FR. Sometimes I'm just grateful for a good laugh. Mostly, though, I find myself compelled to think very hard about my positions and attitudes and to defend them, if only in my own mind, or to alter them when I am persuaded. To those on the pro-life side in the recent events, you gave me comfort and I thank you. To those who felt differently, it was somewhat akin to having a vehement disagreement with a family member where there is always so much more than just one divisive issue. I want conservatives to stick together and to keep on winning, because I believe that the future of this country depends on it. So here I will be, trying to earn my "crusty old timer" badge.
***
Boy, is THAT true! Thanks.
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