For those of you leaving, staying, watching the show.

FR | 4-1-05 | Bob J

[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.

[Quick1]

Welcome to FR.

;)

[Bob J]

Good point. I wasn't trying to say that old timers have more intelligence, only that they have more experience here on FR. Anyone who has been around for six or seven years have seen this same kind of syndrome we experienced with Terri many times. It isn't the end of the world for FR so it may be best to minimize personal collateral damage along the way.

[Dog Gone]

Sam, you talked about another Freeper without pinging him to your post. I'm afraid you used up your last mulligan, big guy. It was nice knowing ya.

Dang.

[Nita Nupress]

Maybe we should just let flattened dogs lie.

Well, if you insist. :-)

Apr 1, 2005 - 6:30 AM CST

 HOUSTON, Tx. (AP) -- In what local veterinarians are describing as a modern-day miracle, a mongrel dog has survived life-threatening injuries when he was run over by an old friend and acquaintance, Nita Nupress. The dog, identified only as "Dog Gone," is currently clinging to life at the Mother of Canine Mercy Veterinary Hospital on 10th Street.

Initial reports from the scene by Houston Animal Control officers stated that the dog had sustained such disfiguring injuries that he was thought to be deceased. The officers were scooping the dog remains up off the pavement when one of them noticed a slight movement of a paw. They then rushed the dog to the hospital in heroic efforts to save his life.

Witnesses to the event stated that the dog appeared to have "lost it," attacking Ms. Nupress, and her frail, elderly grandmother in Nupress's driveway. Fearing for their lives, Ms. Nupress ran her automobile back and forth over the dog several times, causing the severe injuries.

"The maniacal mutt was out of control," said Nupress. "He just lost it. There I was, with my 92-year-old grandmother in the passenger seat and backing out of my driveway on our way to church. All of a sudden, he jumped up on the windshield of my car, drooling and growling and baring his teeth his teeth at us. What else could I do? Friend or no friend, he's been a crazed, rabid monster every since Bill Clinton took over as President."

Witnesses at the scene say that after the dog threatened the women, Ms. Nupress pulled out her SuperCharger-500 Super Soaker water gun from the back seat and sprayed him with it, causing him to lose his grip. When the crazed dog fell to the paved driveway, Ms. Nupress ran over the dog several times, causing the life-threatening injuries. 

"I just had to take matters into my own hands," said Nupress. "He went wacko, that's all there is to it!  I looked over and saw Granny hyperventilating and holding her heart, so I knew I had to do something, and quick. I'm just thankful I had my Super Soaker cocked and loaded." 

Officials are not expected to press charges against Nupress, stating they believe she was justified in her defensive driving actions and acted in self defense.

 A bedside doggie vigil is being held for Dog Gone at the Mother of Canine Mercy Animal Hospital on 10th Street, with his dog pound poochie friends gathered on the premises. Doctors say that the injured dog is so disfigured and maimed that his friends are unable to remain at the bedside.

"We're just hoping he will cling to life long enough to see his next birthday," one friend said. "We know he was rather strange, but we kinda liked him anyway. He was like family to us."

AP-04-01-2005 0630 CST All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

How's that for a 'blast to the past?' ;-)

[cyncooper]

You don't know what you're talking about, plain and simple.

The person Jim addressed his comment to was against removing the feeding tube.

That fact-based discussion and documentation pertaining to issues surrounding the case was deemed by the owner of this site as not desirable is of concern to me. If you don't like that, tough toenails. I did not say more than that but feel free to continue in your hyperventilating hypbolic way.

[Billthedrill]

Egad, is this thread still going?

Nita - about Dog Gone...the car was one thing, but running the lawn tractor out of the garage with the blades set to "mulch" - the coroner's gonna getcha for that...

[EdReform]

Bump!

[EdReform]

Bump!

[TexKat]

Bump!!!

[Nita Nupress]

car was one thing, but running the lawn tractor out of the garage with the blades set to "mulch" - the coroner's gonna getcha for that...

Shhh! No one knows about that one.

[Dog Gone]

Ah, the good old days when opponents at FR only ran over the other guy a few times after shooting them with a squirt gun. I remember that, ROFL.

Even though I never responded in kind, inasmuch as I was born with role model genes, you were always my favorite bully on the boards.

[cyncooper]

To those on the pro-life side in the recent events

If FR is going to be strong and a respected site, it must be acknowledged that the rift was not along "pro-life" lines, but that a faction chose to mischaracterize people falsely as not pro-life.

That tactic has caused a great deal of harm.

[Nita Nupress]

Even though I never responded in kind, inasmuch as I was born with role model genes...

Oh, aren't you lucky I'm walking out the door. But before I go, I'd like to remind you about this.

Hmmmphffft!

[beandog]

I have found that if a agree with a certain group of people that my new status is never questioned or I am welcomed with open arms, if I disagree with that same group of people then all of a sudden I have no right to say anything because I haven't been hear long enough so I know nothing. I'm going to say something here that I said on another thread. If seniority means so much does that mean that everybody in the senate has to agree or defer to Sen. Byrd or Kennedy or whoever has been there long. Seems to me we elect new people because we want no ideas or people to shake things up.

[cyncooper]

MSNBC reporting the AP says the Pope has died.

Fox now is reporting the AP report.

[griffin]

"How could I have been so thoughtless in my moment of indulgence?"

Jeepers wally....if we can wrangle a little bit....then were is the fun in that!? Kinda like hockey without the brawls or Nascar without the crashes! Better watch out or you'll civilize the site out of existence!

[beyond the sea]

I've noticed a notable lack of critical thinking for many folks who joined in 2001 or later.

Could you put that on a graph for me? I need that for a meeting in the morning. ;-)

I'm kidding, you're probably correct on that assertion somewhat, but most likely only because of the sheer numbers of newer posters latley.

Pitt man......

;-)

[ex-snook]

As a member of the class of '98, I've seen a few take-over attempts. Their MO has been to purge others who disagree with them. Looks like when they can't do that, the latest rage is to mount a kamikaze attack.

[Half Vast Conspiracy]

I honestly think most of those espousing those views are disrupters.

I've seen a bunch of idiots with '04 sign up dates. They will run the good folks out of here.

[Bahbah]

My reference was not clear. I did not mean pro-life in the traditional anti-abortion sense, but rather those who were adamantly opposed to allowing the withholding of food and hydration from a living human being. I am sorry for not being more clear.