Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

For those of you leaving, staying, watching the show.
FR | 4-1-05 | Bob J

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.


TOPICS: Free Republic
KEYWORDS: antiopus; faq; fr; freerepublic
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 241-260261-280281-300 ... 521-526 next last
To: KneelBeforeZod
I'm sure there are 1,000 times more "post removed by mod" incidents that people being outright banned.

I had a post removed the day Terri died ... I did ask the admin to remove it though

261 posted on 04/02/2005 4:48:40 AM PST by clamper1797 (This Vietnam Vet ain't Fonda Kerry)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 213 | View Replies]

To: Quix
If you're the token numbskull, what does that leave me?



Supernumery Numbskull?
262 posted on 04/02/2005 4:49:11 AM PST by tet68 ( " We would not die in that man's company, that fears his fellowship to die with us...." Henry V.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 253 | View Replies]

To: Bob J
Bob J

Thanks for your sane post. I sometimes wonder where we would be without so many of the "oldtimers" Who stuck it out with JimRob and John as they tried to hold this forum they believed in together.

Myself joining on 11/01/01 lurking for about a years time before.I think back then most lurked for a longtime before they joined Now so many just find us join and post. Sometimes I wish The mods and Jim were tougher with those gnu-b's. I aint so sure I'm still not a gnu-b when I see a thread you or some one else from the 90's post.

I guess I'm saying thanks for sticking it out.

RB <><

263 posted on 04/02/2005 4:50:51 AM PST by Rightly Biased (<><)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dixiechick2000
"Right now I'm guessing signups '97-'00"

Darn ... I missed by 27 days .... can I get a waiver

264 posted on 04/02/2005 4:51:22 AM PST by clamper1797 (This Vietnam Vet ain't Fonda Kerry)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 117 | View Replies]

To: Bob J

Great "anti-opus" thoughts. And, oh, so true as I rely on most of the "old-timers" perspectives to keep my point of view in based in reality.


265 posted on 04/02/2005 4:52:22 AM PST by freeangel ( (free speech is only good until someone else doesn't like what you say))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: jveritas
I would say if you read this the answer would be NO

Statement by the founder of Free Republic:
In our continuing fight for freedom, for America and our constitution and against totalitarianism, socialism, tyranny, terrorism, etc., Free Republic stands firmly on the side of right, i.e., the conservative side. Believing that the best defense is a strong offense, we (myself and those whom I'm trying to attract to FR) support the strategy of taking the fight to the enemy as opposed to allowing the enemy the luxury of conducting their attacks on us at home on their terms and on their schedule... continued here.

266 posted on 04/02/2005 4:55:45 AM PST by Rightly Biased (<><)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 128 | View Replies]

To: HiTech RedNeck
There's no way a sane soul can fail to see that this leads to an enslavement to forces far worse than mere political oppression.

You are so VERY right ...

267 posted on 04/02/2005 4:56:22 AM PST by clamper1797 (This Vietnam Vet ain't Fonda Kerry)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: OH Swing Voter

I never want to hear another word about Terri Schaivo as long as I live. The whole matter has turned into a schoolyard brawl where people are kicking dirt on each other and calling each other names, and there is no room at all for honest dissent. And the phrase "value life" is narrowly defined by the people who are screaming the loudest and least interested in honest debate. Either you agree with them 100% or you are a Nazi who doesn't "value life". That's not a discussion.

If you are so convinced that you are right, why do you have to beat other people over the head and demand that we all agree with you or you'll kill us?


268 posted on 04/02/2005 4:56:29 AM PST by KateatRFM
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Bob J
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.

Well said Bob. Just thinking back to some of the huge topics that dominated FreeRepublic...Y2K, *every* election, Elian, Whitewater, Vince Foster...etc. one comes to realize that what is constant is the thread of conservatism that runs through them all. Us old timers are the conservative base that helps to guarantee that the board never goes to far leftward no matter how far politics and culture go to the left.

269 posted on 04/02/2005 4:59:55 AM PST by DouglasKC
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Bob J
So I guess I'm still a gnu-b ;^)

Give it another year and then I might pass the test.

270 posted on 04/02/2005 5:00:19 AM PST by Rightly Biased (<><)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 53 | View Replies]

To: Bob J

Count me in.


271 posted on 04/02/2005 5:00:19 AM PST by Tijeras_Slim
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: tet68

I'm sure a thunderous hoard would agree! LOL.


272 posted on 04/02/2005 5:02:51 AM PST by Quix (HAVING A FORM of GODLINESS but DENYING ITS POWER. 2 TIM 3:5)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 262 | View Replies]

To: Miss Marple
I sometimes think the mainstream media reads FR to see how effective they are in their campaign of dividing the right.

If they didn't monitor here, they would indeed be foolish. And since they're really not as stupid as their actions would suggest and some here say they are, the old/Dem/liberal/socialist media surely does check out FR to see how things are effecting FR.

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.

That is the truth.

At any rate, when things get too nutty here, I find it helpful to work in the garden

Same here, I have a four acre perennial nursery here at my residence which is a great place to find calm.

273 posted on 04/02/2005 5:06:05 AM PST by beyond the sea (Advanced Directive -- don't step on my blue suede shoes.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 227 | View Replies]

To: Bob J

Quite right.

One Team dedicated to the preservation of our Democratic Republic - not for the formation of a Socialist nanny-state.


274 posted on 04/02/2005 5:09:44 AM PST by roaddog727 (The marginal propensity to save is 1 minus the marginal propensity to consume.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: OH Swing Voter
NO NO NO NO NO NO conservatism is throwing out emotion and coldly considering fact... </sarc>
275 posted on 04/02/2005 5:11:59 AM PST by johnb838 (Blessed Are The Dead, Who Die In The Lord, For They Rest From Their Labors.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Bob J

Wonderful post. I don't think I'm an old-timer, but I'm not a newbie, either. We've got to keep our eyes on the larger picture.


276 posted on 04/02/2005 5:12:50 AM PST by retrokitten (I heart Tony Snow)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MWS
but in the end we cannot forget that we are all on the same side.

That sounds really pretty, but having a minority opinion in the Terri case and stating it on FR only invited meanness, insults, name-calling and belittling!

That has really turned me off! I'm hanging around, but I have a new perspective now! ...follow the FR majority or be ready for the verbal assaults and abuse!

277 posted on 04/02/2005 5:13:10 AM PST by TexasCajun
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: ClintonBeGone

Thanks Bob. Amen.


278 posted on 04/02/2005 5:18:38 AM PST by zarf
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: justshe
The Trent Lott debacle

Sheesh you're not kidding!
279 posted on 04/02/2005 5:18:46 AM PST by visualops (Pray.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 99 | View Replies]

To: Bob J
Words of wisdom, Bob. Thanks from a crusty old buggerette.

Oh, my....

Leni

280 posted on 04/02/2005 5:30:01 AM PST by MinuteGal ("The Marines keep coming. We are shooting, but the Marines won't stop !" (Fallujah Terrorists)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 279 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 241-260261-280281-300 ... 521-526 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson