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.

[NittanyLion]

we should calm the turbulent and muddy waters. Some of us try to do just that

ROFL!

[cyncooper]

I know, but many who opposed removing the feeding tube were also called "pro-death" by many posters in a mob mentality.

[Former Military Chick]

I enjoyed your comment very much. You offered a great deal for folks to think about.

[Billthedrill]

Roger on the takeover attempts. Two in particular come to mind - one some years ago by a group of vociferous Christian fundamentalists (remember Lenny the "heater heater" guy?) in which I was called an agent of Satan and another, more recent one, by some Southron enthusiasts for whom "Yankee" was a mortal insult. It isn't that Christians and Southrons aren't welcome and still populate the board; what is not permissible is the bullying and intimidation that these cliques ended up employing.

The M.O. was pretty much what we saw over the last several weeks - disagree with one of them and you'd get a mass ping to rally the troops, after which the heretic was assaulted from all sides in numbers impossible to reply to. Having been on the receiving end of that a few times I can tell you how infuriating it can be and how difficult it is to keep one's cool when it happens.

Terri's death has cast a dash of cold water on this particular boilover, not before it created a number of unnecessary casualties. It may be that some of us old-timers have come to depend on the Moderators too much to maintain board decorum. Here I plead guilty. There are worse things than being sneered at as a "forum cop," such as losing the forum, for one. It may be that in exchange for the undeniable slack some of us get cut, a little more exertion in the interest of politesse is in order. I find the role distasteful, but the alternative is worse.

[Katya]

Well said Bob....I think the biggest problem with newbies is their cyberskin is very thin. Those of us who've been on the net 15 yrs plus understand language in black and white is unforgiving. We also know people on anonymous message boards may develop abrasive alter personas.

FreeRepublic has been my life line to others who hold similar philosophies. I live in a blue county in a blue state, the ability to freely speak one's mind is something I treasure here in my FreeRepublic neighborhood.

[beyond the sea]

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 lately.

Pitt man......

[Focault's Pendulum]

In a way us curmudgeons can help provide a sense of continuity and historical perspective to events that newcomers cannot.

Awww Crap!!!! I've become a curmodgeon.

I like it!

[Grateful One]

Is it possible to be a newbiemudgeon?

[506trooper]

Thank you for posting this; I bumped it a couple of times since last night, to keep it near the top, to see how many of the long time FReepers would respond, and to reflect on my short time on FR.

I did not feel it was my place to chime in while you guys sorted it out, and I suspect many recent members (I'm not fond of the term newbie, but, I recognize, it's not always meant as a put-down)have been watching as well

This is the type of post I have come to appreciate on FR.

Judging from the number of views (5700+), it has reached a number of people, and may help with the healing.

Though there have been many great comments,I thought "Post as if you are talking to the thousands that will read you.." was the most poignant...thanks especially for that.

For those of you who may be discounting my comments as just another noob....I have a dog in this fight, I became a contributor within two weeks of my sign up date, (183955 ;-}) and would like to think I'm getting value for my money in the fight against liberalism.

New here but not to life, and I've been actively engaged in the fight against the left since 1964.

Thanks again.

[ex-snook]

"The M.O. was pretty much what we saw over the last several weeks - disagree with one of them and you'd get a mass ping to rally the troops, after which the heretic was assaulted from all sides in numbers impossible to reply to."

Righto. Sounds like some of the previous Buchanan bashes with the ping roundup to enter into the gang bang [where I was on the receiving end]. The Schiavo threads were mild compared to the Nazi shouts then! Every other post. Hitler pics, the works.

My only suggestion to moderators would be the scratch any post that does not discuss the article and instead spends time bashing the author or the poster.

[TexasCowboy]

"Only that we remember there are more battles ahead and drawing a line in the sand can only divides your forces in half,"

I will have to simply disagree.

Divisiveness over certain issues does not destroy cohesiveness in general.
In fact, it strengthens the forum and the whole Conservative movement.

Just as adversity builds character, the expression of different and contrary ideas builds builds knowledge about any subject, either immediately or in retrospect.

I have been swayed many times in flame wars by picking up a gem of knowledge among the embers.
I respect those who have strong opinions about various topics and can back up those opinions with facts supporting their position.

[k2blader]

This is nice, but there's no way in HELL I'm going to be on the side of folks who directly support euthanasia, as has been expressed on this forum.

(Slightly modified from the original..)

[Steve Newton]

I do not comment often but your post is well taken.

We cannot become divided even over things that some of us hold dear.

We are fighting a world war and we will either support each other and support different opinions or we will be hurting the ones who are fighting and dying for our right to disagree.

We CAN be civil and polite to each other. We are all brothers and sisters and we are all AMERICANS.

God bless

Steve Newton

[Bahbah]

but many who opposed removing the feeding tube were also called "pro-death"

That was unfortunate. I was not among them.

[cyncooper]

I know you weren't...I saw you on the Pope threads, very moving coverage, isn't it.

We're leaving for Mass in about an hour. Looking forward to it.

[Bahbah]

Two of my girls came by, just to see how I was. They know how much I loved and admired this Pope. He has been the Pope their entire lives. Right now I am listening to Cardinal Egan. Peace be with you, my FRiend.

[cyncooper]

And also with you, dear FRiend.

[Incorrigible]

I posted this on another thread to a poster that questioned FreeRepublic's value. I post it again in hopes that the pettiness I see disappears.

Indeed?

Are you referring to the website that organized the March for Justice in 1998 that inspired the House Managers to go forward with the article of impeachment of President Clinton?

Are you referring to the website the countered the Clintonista spin in the media in the ensuing years?

Are you referring to the website that organized the rallies to counter the attempted theft of the 2000 election and created the ubiquitous signs "Sore Loserman"?

Are you referring to the website that help assemble people in front of Al Gore's VP residence chanting "Get out of Dick Cheney's House" that Gore referred to in his book?

Are you referring to the website that kept the main stream media in check during the entire 2004 Presidential election cycle and is responsible for bringing down a prominent member of that media?

Are you referring to the website that continually supports our troops and their missions around the world?

Are you referring to the website that is the bane of liberals and liars the world over?

Is this not offense?

You joined in September at the height of the election. Our guy won, and was just inaugurated. If you've noticed a reduction in the pace of posting, perhaps people just need a break.

[RightOnline]

As a fellow "old head".......I will say "ditto", "well-said", "bump-a-roonie", pick your cliche'.

May I add that there are some here who take themselves WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY too seriously. 'Twas always thus as long as I've been here (latter part of '98), and it seems to me that is those types who leave in a huff.

My advice to all is......heed Bob's words, lighten up, get ticked and scrap and agree and slap on the back and yell and curse......but when all's said and done, you did exactly what you experience in any family full of spirited people, yet you remain family.

[mojojockey]

Will we ever grow tired of FR?