Are you sure it wasn't a dead RINO?
Posted on 10/26/2009 4:32:01 PM PDT by Admin Moderator
This is a public service announcement from your friendly neighborhood Admin Moderators (Sidebar gave us some attitude so we shoved him in the closet for a while. He never recovered from the Yacht incident) For a while, we have noticed some things happening that we need your help with. The Free Republic community is strong; we are almost a family, albeit very dysfunctional at times. Like any community, we have new members joining us daily. Unfortunately, the air of suspicion and the desire to keep things “the way they are” has fostered a feeling of distrust with new members. Almost every day, we see new members join, then, because of comments of suspicion, they often don’t return. For any community to thrive, it must grow. Because of this, we are asking for your help. Here are some important things you should know:
The Internet has changed greatly since Free Republic first started. When we formed, few people had their own websites, now, everyone has their own blog. With this, there is an attitude change where someone who doesn’t understand how our community works may be more interested in self-promotion than we have been used to in the past. We don’t want to change the overall feel of this site- it is about our shared values, not about self promotion, however, we don’t want to drive people away simply because they link to their own blog. There are blog “pimps” who want nothing more than to promote their own sites, but for most people, it is simply how they start out sharing their thoughts on a matter. Encourage these members to take part in existing discussions.
Many new members may not communicate well what they believe and it gives the appearance they are not 100% kosher in their Conservative beliefs. This may have nothing to do with their Conservative credentials but simply how they are communicating their beliefs or how the media/pop culture has told them what to think. Be an example and discuss what you think is wrong. A liberal troll’s true colors will reveal themselves while a new member who is honest, but may not communicate well, may learn from the conversation.
Remember, how you respond to a topic not only reflects your thoughts, but also is a reflection of the community and Conservative values. We need to be an example of positive conservative values when responding to members, especially new ones. As mods, we make a strong attempt to screen all new members. Every new sign-up goes through a period where their posts are reviewed. This helps us eliminate most trolls, porn and commercial spammers, and those who don’t fit in with our Conservative values. This isn’t a perfect system, but it does help us make sure that by the time a new member reaches the community, there is a greater chance this person is the type we want around. Some slip through, yes, and you can always help us by hitting the abuse button. (of course, we do let some world class morons through every once in a while as “Live Chow”- after all, the kitties have to have toys.)
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With all that said, we need to grow. We need to be far more welcoming to new members and guide them into how to use our community best. With this said, we are issuing a challenge to our long time Freeper family. We would like to start up a ‘welcome wagon’ type of ping list or group whose job it is to welcome new members, show them the ropes, and guide them through our community. This could be as simply as giving new members a kind welcome, guiding them to how to post topics or replies, or just making the experience pleasant.
As this is your community, we would like your thoughts, ideas, and most importantly, for some of you to step up and help us with this.
We are passing the ball to you. What do you think?
“This” blinked on my phone! Ha! Blackberry=freedom from the constraints of rules.
LOL I’ve never seen that graphic before.
“A socially liberal republican I would consider voting for if, for example, he were running for office in CA and was fiscally conservative,”
I’m sorry but someone who meets that description is not a Conservative. Someone cannot be partly Conservative. That’s like saying that some follows both the Catholic and Jewish religion or someone is a vegan but eats meat on the weekends.
Conservatism is a principle that dwells deep within a person. The best way I can explain it is to tell a story that happened to me.
I am, unfortunately, in a district represented by Emmanuel Cleaver, a reverend. I wrote him one day concerning an issue that he voted for that didn’t seem to fit with his reverend credentials.
He wrote me back saying that the reverend part didn’t come into play when he was the politician because he had to keep that separate from his politics. I was stunned. The principles I hold, I hold no matter the circumstances.
You cannot have liberal and conservative in the same body, such as socially liberal and fiscally conservative. That is someone who is firmly planted in the middle of the road. And as my grandmother told me many times, the only thing in the middle of the road was a dead armadillo.
Thank jslade for the priceless gem.
Tomorrow is gargage day.
LOL, treasure it, it may be one of the few freedoms left before long...
Why don’t you tag all newbie posts with an eye-catcher for a month or so, so that we know and can help.
ROTFLOL! I’ve not seen “The Droid” before now. How on earth did I miss it? LOL!
Or like saying someone can be a miniarchist?
;-) loL although blackberry is SLOW..just got your other post. ((BlinkWink))
Are you sure it wasn't a dead RINO?
How a large number of FReepers test another’s conservatism (borrowed from a T Minus Four post):
I was walking across a bridge one day, and I saw a man standing on the edge, about to jump off. So I ran over and said, “Stop! Don’t do it!” “Why shouldn’t I?” he said.
I said, “Well, there’s so much to live for!” He said, “Like what?” I said, “Well, are you religious or atheist?” He said, “Religious.” I said, “Me too!
Are you Christian or Buddhist?” He said, “Christian.” I said, “Me too!
Are you Catholic or Protestant?” He said, “Protestant.” I said, Me too!
Are you Episcopalian or Baptist? He said, “Baptist!” I said, “Wow! Me too!
Are you Baptist Church of God or Baptist Church of the Lord? He said, Baptist Church of God!” I said, “Me too!
Are your Original Baptist Church of God or are you Reformed Baptist Church of God?” He said, “Reformed Baptist Church of God!” I said, “Me too!
Are you Reformed Baptist Church of God, Reformation of 1879, or Reformed Baptist Church of God, Reformation of 1915?” He said, “Reformed Baptist Church of God, Reformation of 1915!”
I said, “Die, heretic scum!” and pushed him off.
Ping to #204.
CG,
I have a rule about restaurants. If the sign says “Fried Chicken,” I get the chicken not the beef. If the sign says “Sushi,” I don’t get the gyro. I get the sushi. Make sense?
Free Republic is a CONSERVATIVE site. Sometimes that means it supports Republicans, but it’s always conservative. Not moderate. Conservative.
John McCain spits on us every chance he gets. Mitt Romney tries to spit on us, but we’ve been successful at defending ourselves to date.
No amount of vanities or whining will change the very fact that conservatives rule here. If you want “Moderate Republic” I recommend you try another restaurant.
You’d be surprised what gets posted on the anti-McCain/anti-Romney/anti-RINO threads. LOL
I pretty much got ‘the works’ when I joined. I recall being blasted because I didn’t think Sarah came off well in the debate with Biden. I don’t know maybe I’m just more stubborn than most people, but I was a lurker for years and wasn’t going to be driven off by anyone. So, I don’t quite understand why people run away if they’re hassled.
I’m sure this was totally not helpful. Sorry.
Better slow than never!
This isn't particularly a new FReeper issue. It goes back a long time. I'd love to use FRee Republic as ESL lessons for my sons, but I don't dare as they don't have any of the context to put all of the cussing and swearing that is posted here.
I feel embarrassed to pound the abuse button every time someone posts potty language. Should I be embarrassed?
I try to stay away from 'Michelle' threads because the meanness does bother me.
And Hillary! threads. I'm not sure why there is all the childish name calling, but it's been that way from since I started reading. It also embarrasses me. I've had my mouth washed out with soap by my parents for saying less derogatory things.
Sarah could’ve opened up with both barrels on Stupid, but she didn’t because she was trying to be nice. Unfortunately Stupid saw it as weakness.
I think, first, a definition of n00b is in order. Five years should be the “I’m not a n00b anymore” parameter.
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