I agree.
I can only imagine how our good black Freepers feel when the read some of this bilge.
Two of the most prominent, rdb3, and mhking, left. I am sorry for that, and trying to show them that many on this forum, do want them here.
Gracious, this is the first I've heard of this. FR is diminished without them.
Good post. Great quote.
WHAT?????
Just damn!
Count me in on that sentiment, and thank you for posting this.
Are you saying they left because of posts on FR?
They were great and are great people and excellent FReepers, and they will be back, imo.
FR is more than like your favorite ice cream flavor, it can be your wisest and best friend.......... you must come back to it or he or she.
But, in my one and only "get together" with the second FReeper noted, I found that he had a very thin skin at that time. Now, that happened just a couple of weeks ago, so maybe he was right on the edge of disillusionment and was irritated by many things. I don't know, but here's one relatively new FReeper who has been reading here for over six years, and I hope they come back......... and SOON! Because FR is the greatest site in the country, and they are needed here.
Thanks for posting this thread. I haven't been as frequent a visitor to FR lately because of some medical issues so I was just now catching up on the thread where rdb3 and mhking stated their frustrations and intentions to leave.
In reading that thread I came to the conclusion that quite a few of the posters don't realize how racist they sound. It may be because they actually are racist or it may be they don't realize how their posts come across as an us vs. them post.
Some people suggested when the people were turned away that they find a different route. Almost as if it's as simple as putting your car in reverse and driving in a different direction. Not so easy to do when one has been walking in heat, humidity and bugs for a couple of miles.
Others suggested there were businesses, shops and grocery stores in areas that weren't underwater. The question wasn't asked or answered about whether there were employees able to make it in to staff these places or whether the posters were unwittingly encouraging looting.
Other's blamed people for not evacuating before and for waiting until after the hurricane was gone. They forget the levees didn't fail until after Katrina had blown on through. Or they fail to think people saw things getting worse after Katrina moved on and they chose to leave then.
I'm like you in that there have been times in my adult life when I haven't been perfectly prepared. Sometimes I didn't see something coming when it should have been obvious to me. Other times it would have been financially impossible for me to do other than what I did. (And no, I never did anything immoral or illegal.)
Mike, I had written you a freepmail before I saw this thread. rdb3, I hadn't yet written you a freepmail because I found this thread and am responding here. I don't want either of you to leave. I enjoy both of your perspectives on differing topics. I hope you reconsider.