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?
Why, yes! That answers a multitude of questio ...
... um, no, actually. It doesn't tell me anything at all.
.
That's why you're light on your feet?
Extremely so!
I’ve been dancing since I was a cute little tot of two. One who refused to accept any tap shoes but the best, to the everlasting shame of my mother.
Well, that’s going to be my dream program for the evening then:
A blue-footed booby tap-dancing to “I’m a Yankee Doodle Dandy”, complete with cane and straw hat.
And singing in James Cagney’s voice. Yep, that’ll do it.
Substitute the frog...”Hello my honey, Hello my baby, Hello my rag time gal..” Rrrribbbit.
That one is seared, seared I tell you, into my brain.
A nekkid FROG???
*gasp*
(You’re a good man, Charlie Brown!)
Because there was a hat, you assumed it was a “HE?”
Yes.
Though I have seen women wearing such a hat, they were dressed as men.
*tsk-tsk*
You obviously haven’t been to the finer clubs. I sing tenor. I have dancer’s legs. I can’t see my toes.
If I were dressed as a man, you wouldn’t be fooled...;o]
Besides, he was singing a song to a “gal”.
And his heart was on fire. He was the Al Jolson of the amphibian world.
*kof-kof*
You win.
Still, he’s my favorite frog and the reason I collect them today!!
That was the BEST cartoon!!!
If you were dressed as a deep-sea diver, I wouldn't be fooled.
Michigan J. Frog.
Classic.
.
Then there was this little elephant ...
Good Night!
Yah. OK. The implement is in the wrong area of the torso. But who am I to judge?
Your comments are well received, thanks.
You should have come to the "Undead Thread" before. We're always looking for fresh meat. Especially the zombies.
Good morning. The rain has stopped here. I have to go put drops in the cat's ears now. If I don't come back ...
This came this morning from my BFF Bon.
Rules for the Nonmilitary Ass Kicking
Make sure you read #13
Dear Civilians, ‘We know that the current state of affairs in our great nation has many civilians up in arms and excited to join the military.
For those of you who can’t join, you can still lend a hand. Here are a few of the areas where we would like your assistance:
1. The next time you see any adults talking (or wearing a hat) during the playing of the National Anthem - kick their ass.
2. When you witness, firsthand, someone burning the American Flag in protest - kick their ass.
3. Regardless of the rank they held while they served, pay the highest amount of respect to all veterans. If you see anyone doing otherwise, quietly pull them aside and explain how these veterans fought for the very freedom they bask in every second. Enlighten them on the many sacrifices these veterans made to make this Nation great. Then hold them down while a disabled veteran kicks their ass.
4. If you were never in the military, DO NOT pretend that you were. Wearing battle dress uniforms (BDUs) or Jungle Fatigues, telling others that you used to be ‘Special Forces’. Collecting GI Joe memorabilia, might have been okay when you were seven years old, now, it will only make you look stupid and get your ass kicked.
5. Next time you come across an *Air Force* member, do not ask them, ‘Do you fly a jet?’ Not everyone in the Air Force is a pilot. Such ignorance deserves an ass-kicking (children are exempt).
6.. If you witness someone calling the *US Coast Guard* ‘non-military’, inform them of their mistake - and kick their ass.
7. Next time Old Glory (the US flag) prances by during a parade, get on your damn feet and pay homage to her by placing your hand over your heart. Quietly thank the military member or veteran lucky enough to be carrying her - of course, failure to do either of those could earn you a severe ass-kicking.
8. Don’t try to discuss politics with a military member or veteran. We are Americans, and we all bleed the same, regardless of our party affiliation. Our Chain of Command is to include our Commander-In-Chief (CinC). The President (for those who didn’t know) is our CinC regardless of political party. We have no inside track on what happens inside those big important buildings where all those representatives meet. All we know is that when those civilian representatives screw up the situation, they call upon the military to go straighten it out. If you keep asking
Us the same stupid questions repeatedly, you will get your ass kicked.
9. ‘Your mama wears combat boots’ never made sense to me - stop saying it! If she did, she would most likely be a vet and therefore would kick your ass!
10. Bin Laden and the Taliban are not Communists, so stop saying ‘Let’s go kill those! Commies !’ And stop asking us where he is. Crystal balls are not standard issue in the military. That reminds me - if you see anyone calling those damn psychic phone numbers, let me know, so I can go kick their ass!
11. ‘Flyboy’ (*Air Force*), ‘Jarhead’ (*Marines*), ‘Grunt’ (*Army*), ‘Squid’ (*Navy*), ‘Puddle Jumpers’ (*Coast Guard*), etc., are terms of endearment we use describing each other. Unless you are a service member or vet, you have not earned the right to use them. Using them could get your ass kicked..
12. Last, but not least, whether or not you become a member of the military, support our troops and their families. Every Thanksgiving and religious holiday that you enjoy with family and friends, please remember that there are literally thousands of soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen far from home wishing they could be with their families. Thank God for our military and the sacrifices they make every day. Without them, our Country would get it’s ass kicked.
‘It’s the Veteran, not the reporter, who has given us the freedom of the press.’
‘It’s the Veteran, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech’
‘It’s the Veteran, not the community organizer, who gives us the freedom to demonstrate.’
‘It’s the Military who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag.
AND ONE MORE:
13. If you ever see anyone either standing for or singing the national anthem in Spanish - KICK THEIR ASS.
ONE LAST THING:
If you got this email and didn’t pass it on - Guess what - you deserve to get your ass kicked!
I sent this to you, because I didn’t want to get my ass kicked.
WE LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE, ONLY BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE!
IN GOD WE TRUST
GOD BLESS AMERICA !
If you can’t join the military (because you’re an older woman with a baby, for example), you’d be ill-advised to go around trying to kick anyone’s arse.
However, you can fix them with a killer stare and observe, “Appropriate behavior in this situation includes ...” if you feel lucky.
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