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.
You underestimate the impact of quiet resolve and persistance. You may be responding to one person, but thoudands read your post.
Post as if you are talking to the thousands that will read you, not one numbskull.
And, remember the 'girl" too.
O bow to the one before.
Hmmm.
LOLOLOL! Thank you for that "plug"!
Nam Vet
' In all fairness, Terri has been in a vegitated state for 15 years. Under those extreme cases there may be some differences of opinion. There is no way of knowing what Terri could or could not feel or know. There is rational arguements on both sides.
Sometimes shaming the persistently evil is all that can be done this side of glory.
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?
Yes, yes and hell yes.
Crustoids rule, noobs drool.
IMHO, of course.
Till you do that, then you are just blowing it out your bilge pumps.
Why, yes, of course. ;-)
There is a tendency when hearing things with which you do not agree, to ascribe those who say them to some sort of group with a disagreeable label - "pitchforkers" (remember that one?) or lately, "pro-death." This is worthy neither of the labeler or his or her subject, and is one mark of a mind more possessed with passion than reason.
Sometimes you just get tired, tired of trying not to return heat for heat, tired of refraining from smearing the one who's just smeared you because he or she is too lazy or unjust to do otherwise. That is an indication that it's time for a vacation. They'll always be out there, and they'll never change, and if you can't put up with them on an electronic forum then real life is going to present a real problem.
To those for whom I've had a hotter reply than I'd intended - RaceBannon, Texas Cowboy, you guys, for example - my apologies, and thank you for being better men than I and avoiding returning kind for kind. That is what old-timers have to offer, I think - some of us have had second and third chances to be more what we intend to be instead of what fatigue and anger make us at the moment. Perspective.
Over and over. It's for us oldies to earn our keep.
BUMP for a great post.
I would ask that on this thread we try to talk about the things that bind us. Divisions will always divide and never end up anything good.
To answer all four of your questions:
Yes, yes, yes, and more.
L
What? I thought I was FR's token numbskull. You mean there are more of us?
To me, Hillary is "persistently evil". FReepers who disagree with me only prove I haven't perfected my argument.
It's un-Argentinian.
And another thing . . .
GET RID OF THE IDIOTIC SIGN-UP DATE POP-UP!!!
Longevity-laden lips sink rebuttals from newbie "team players."
The post . . .
NOT the POSTER.
Just let it rock.
Fair enough, I will consider what you have posted.
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