Posted on 05/06/2005 5:36:10 AM PDT by MadIvan
I understand your feelings, Ivan ... but I sure hope that you will reconsider and stay
You are a great asset to FR and will be surely missed if you go
I think you're wrong. And I know for fact that many others see it the way I do.
There is a disagreeable aura here now. Evidently you don't perceive it.
I hope you'll reconsider.
add another 98 lurker in support ,Ivan.............
You're not alone ;-(
Remember Blue = Conservative/Tory.
Red = Labour.
Orange = Liberal-Democrat.
Nooooo, Ivan, don't leave. Please, just ignore the troublemakers. We need you here.
When some of the FR 'big names' began to leave I wrote it off as normal come and go, but if you go Ivan, I will have to reevaluate. I second the idea of a blog.
Sorry to see you go. Like you, I have noticed how xenophobic towards all Brits many on FR have become and have been considering doing the same for some time. Perpahs you are right, now is the time to bid farewell.
Anyway all the best mate and hope you find somewhere to go where you won't be flayed just for being British.
There's a difference between spirited, informed and intelligent debate and mindless bashing.
FR has degenerated into the latter after a long run of hosting the former.
Oh, IVAN! You are SO right about what has happened to FR.......even since I joined slightly more than four years ago.
Why is this bigotry and evil not controlled? Why are these people allowed to post their vile, hatred without consequence?
There are many fine Freepers who are either leaving or hiding because of the mindless vitriol and hatred.
THINGS ARE OUT OF CONTROL!
Ivan..........you live in a FANTASTIC country (our daughter is living there now, and loves it). Britain has been a staunch ally, and a good friend to us. It is not perfect.....BUT NEITHER ARE WE!
Thank you, Ivan, for your incredible contributions to this site.
It is poorer for your loss.
While I seldom post here, I have enjoyed reading your posts. Your love for Britain and support of the USA is much appreciated.
I am another who totally understands your desire to put your energies to better use than sparring with perpetual malcontents. Deny them an audience. Negativity, diviseness, and rancor appear to be their 'oxygen'.
I send prayers and good wishes in all that you do and wherever you're led.
K1
Mike
Ivan, you were the very first poster I ever posted to on FR. I asked you what a ping list was and after receiving your typical gracious explanation, asked to be put on yours. I loved the articles you posted and insights you brought to the forum. Still do.
I understand your criticisms and also believe they are valid. I do ask you to reconsider or at least try just a temporary break, though.
I'm afraid the dark forces that are at work on FR will win if enough of us leave. And they don't deserve to win.
Regardless of your decision, I am proud to call you FRiend. Changing taglines back to one of my early ones just for you Ivan. Meant it then, and still do.
Prairie
Well, that is allowed from many directions.
There are many fine Freepers who are either leaving or hiding because of the mindless vitriol and hatred.
Like that which was directed at those who thought Laura Bush might have been out of line with her comments? A couple of those posters took their comments too far, and that somehow seemed to justify open season on anyone who thought Laura crossed a line.
From Terri Schiavo to immigration to Laura's jokes, folks now seem to believe that the end justifies the means, and anyone who disagrees with them is a closet Democrat who needs to be shouted down like a conservative speaker at a college campus. I feel strongly about immigration, and think Bush is dead wrong on that subject, but I will listen to arguments on the other side made in good faith - as I also try to keep those on my side of the debate within the forum boundaries.
You want civility to improve? The best way is to demand it of those who are allied with you. Mobs form when no one in the crowd arrests the transcendence into incivility and then thuggishness.
Never give in--never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.
--Sir Winston Churchill,
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