Posted on 03/30/2007 9:03:20 AM PDT by NYC Republican
I've been a member of FR for a few years now, and it's an AMAZING site overall. I actually get a sizeable chunk of my news- not so much the headlines, but the analysis behind the news, on FR. I am pleased to have JR allow us to post on his site. Having said that, I feel compelled to vent on some of the things that have been annoying me to no end.
*** MSM is Dying or Becoming Extinct ***.
This is the one thing that drives me up the wall the most. It's bad enough that many of our fellow FReepers rejoice in the loss of jobs at these media outlets. It's the pinnacle of ignorance to really think it's dying. Fox News gets a fraction of the viewership that CBS/ABC/NBC/CNN get. Most Americans get their news in 10 second soundbites- or newspaper headlines... We can point to talk radio and the internet, but guess what, the MSM has become more brazen about their support of the Dems, and they cite Fox as being "conservative" to justify the further left-ward lurch. The MSM is all-powerful, and more influential than ever, IMO. Don't believe it, look what happened to the one true conservative that dared to fight them tooth and nail - DeLay.
*** GOP's (Bush/Cheney/Hastert) Reticence to Fight Back Against Outrageous Charges ***
It all started with Kennedy's "lie after lie after lie", and "war was concocted in Crawford for political purposes"... None of the GOP leaders said a damn thing... so, guess what, it emboldened the libs. Next came yellowcake, then the Dem debates, where they leveled one scurrilous charge after another at the GOP, and NO one disputed it on our side. When they call us liars, say we fatten up the rich at the expense of the poor, etc etc etc and we don't challenge and refute it, guess what, many Americans think there must be some truth to it. IMHO, the inability, or unwillingness, to fight back has allowed these lies to be cemented in Americans minds as truth... and this has been more damaging to the GOP than any other issue, including Iraq. It has poisoned Americans' perception of the GOP and conservatives for a long time to come. By the way, as a VP candidate. Cheney's been a DISASTER... For all of Gore's faults, he stood by Clinton and defended him at every opportunity. Cheney's been MIA during much of this.
*** Hillary is Not Electable ***
That's just a fallacy. She is absolutely electable, even though her disapproval ratings are so high. Right off the bat, she is assured of the Northeast, the Pacific West, and a few states in the industrial belt (Illionois, Wisconsin). When you factor in 8 years of a GOP President and those wanting change, 2 years of Dems in charge during a robust economy (I'll address this next), the negative feelings towards the Iraq war, her incredible money machine and ground game, her husband, and most importantly IMO, the fact that the media has 18 months to re-cast her image in a slightly more favorable light, she becomes a VERY formidable candidate. We downplay her chances and dismiss her candidacy at our peril
*** 2 Years of Dems in Power Will Have Americans Voting GOP Again in '08 ***
Amazing that so many of you don't realize the game here. The Dems want NOTHING more that to keep their foothold on their power, and get the Presidency in '08. Their goal is to increase their majorities and score victories at all levels of govt... to that end, we will not see ANY major liberal policies being championed until '08. The only things we'll see movement on are things that are highly unpopular with the public at large- like the Iraq war. The economy is still strong, and the media will slowly start touting it as a positive, and give credit to the Dems. The Dems were given an incredible opportunity- the public mood overall is dismal towards the Pres, the economy, and Iraq, and the Dems will go along with the status quo. It's far more important for them to sit on the sidelines and build up power, than reach out to their natural constituents and reward them with more entitlements. Once they increase their majorities in '08, with the MSM helping them every step of the way, they will take a wide left turn.
*** Duncan Hunter as President or VP Choice ***
He's a fantastic guy, excellent credentials, honored us by serving his country, is spot on with nearly every issue... But he's absolutely, positively unelectable. Just like Keyes and Buchanon were. So many of us are delusional in thinking he'll be tapped for the VP slot- no way no how. He adds NOTHING to the ticket. California's lost, and he would turn off far more voters than he would bring in... ESPECIALLY if Fred T. gets into it. He'd have NOTHING to gain, as he's sufficiently conservative on his own. Look folks, DH declared his candidacy abut 6 months ago, and can't get above 1 or 2% among GOP voters! He also needs over $200 million to even compete against Hillary, then would be shred to pieces by the media. Also important, IMO... we got pasted and shellacked in the last election 55%-45%. Why would anyone think there's an appetite for someone who's untra-conservative? Are you kidding? The best we can hope for is F. Thompson.
*** Single Issue Voters ***
These folks drive me absolutely bonkers- whether it's the WOT or abortion. Why can't you look at the issues holistacally. I'm not espousing supporting Rudy, but even though he's socially liberal, fiscally and on the WOT he's solid. Excellent on crime... Will appoint the right judges... By blasting this guy, we'll wind up with a candidate that limps to the general election if he wins the primary... By nearly every measure where the President has clout, he's much better for the country than Hillary, Obama, or any other Dem. Those that say "he supports abortion, so I can't support him", that gets you Hillary. Are you that myopic that you don't see how damaging that would be to the country???
*** Incredible Number of Insults, to FReepers, and Others ***
In so many ways, the tone of the discussions have degenerated over the years. Insults are almost the norm from some of the posters... Also, comments like "fags","muzzies" etc - that amazes me, and makes us look like a bunch of intolerant whackos.
Need to get back to work, that's it for now, I'm sure I'll get blasted for this, but so be it.
Pretty good rant. FReedom BUMP! Thanks Jim Robinson.
The Tijeras Judge gives this one a 8.5
So, pretty much, you disagree with people who disagree with you, is that what you're tryong to say?
Thanks. I expect to get POUNDED soon, but I guess it goes with the territory
It's part of being free. Thank God we all still are, despite the continuing efforts of both foreign and domestic enemies to the contrary.
Re: single issue voters: yes, they are that myopic. If they can't have it their way, then it's no way for them. elect a Rat. They don't give a damn. And anyone who disagrees with them are RINOs at best, and certainly not conservatives in their opinion.
Bottom line response - out here in the heart of America, we see Rudy as pretty kooky and we are not going to vote for him.
Why beat around the bush?
You know what drives me bonkers. People that post their opinions as vanity threads and put them in the news topics.
Hey, have you been on vacation for a few months? You think your post is the first revelation of all of this. Good recap, but that's all it is.
Good rant.
I'd give it an 8.75
Rather than post on multiple threads, I just wanted to express my views, for anyone that cares to see them. So many of these things are topics I feel strongly about, and feel that many fellow FReepers are just flat out wrong or misinformed. For what it's worth, I'm hoping that this will have some influence on them.
At least it's not an opus.
For Rudy, it's not a "Single Issue" problem.
Its: 1- Guns 2- Gay Rights 3- Abortion 4- Immigration 5- Judicial Appointments
But if taxes were the single issue that Conservatives cared about, he might do just fine.
Well, enjoy FR while you still got it because if the dems retain power, who knows.
Just come out and say it. You LOVE Rudy.
... and yet, on any Rudy/Thompson/Presidential thread, we still see Hunter's mention constantly, as though he has any chance at all.
I normally don't care for vanity posts but I give you kudos for your summary.
Excellent points.
Rudy is as likely to get the nomination as I am.
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