This is a great and needed post. Even saying so I feel like some people here would pile on like everything was fine and I’m an idiot.
To tell a true story, I lost my father in 1998. I moved to Illinois and got to know my father’s brother much better than I ever had. (We moved away from Illinois home when I was 13).
My father was a Republican, I am a Republican...there’s a history, but that’s beside the point.
My uncle was a Freeper. He had a hardware store and religiously listened to Rush and talked about Free Republic. We went together one night to see Alan Keyes speak at a location nearby. It was before 9/11 and Keyes was going to give one speech and instead decided to talk about terrorism and said that America was in danger. It was a great speech. The surprising thing, I guess...was that the Mennonites showed up for Alan Keyes’ speech...and the Bible bunheads...you know the ones. We were kind of surprised.
A couple of months after that...my uncle died suddenly of a heart attack at the age of 52. My grandma (who is almost 102 now) lost her second son in the space of two years. My oldest uncle is the only one left and we look at him odd if he says he doesn’t feel well.)
Anyway...I had heard of Free Republic...but I was working alot of hours. I went places online and made friends.
But then politics would rear its ugly head...and even if someone had posted with you for six months and thought you were the funniest person in the land...once they found out you were a Republican...it was over.
I learned the hard way. I was embraced then ostracized when I stood up as a Republican...
....but that’s ok...because, frankly, we don’t really need this online thing anyway. I mean, I’m going to be who I am. I’ll vote the way I want to.
I don’t need the approval of online people...I have the approval and support of my family and a network of friends...and some of that network of friends vote Democrat.
We can talk politics over a table without dissolving into insults...why can’t people who share common values talk online without dissolving into pettiness and insults?
My first thread here was awesome. A bird vanity. And some posted kitties to eat the bird.
I read quite awhile before I joined. I have been in some tussles with folks here.
I just don’t post that much anymore. I promised and will send a donation to Jim within the next couple of days. ( I have had the flu for around 16 days and didn’t want to send it through the mail...even though I don’t know if it can live on paper.) Maybe I’ll just spray the check with Lysol.
Frankly, if a person isn’t welcomed and is piled on, gets in tussles, is doubted...etc....
Why should they feel like they should send money? Don’t get me wrong...I am going to send a donation...but think about it.
Why would anyone who is maligned here or has a problem with posters doubting them or being snarky...why would they send money?
If you have an online family...if you feel valued...you send money. If people are nasty...you might read out of curiosity..but why would you donate?
This is a time when people who thought change was good are finding out that FUNDAMENTAL change is not what they voted for. They are looking for a place to go. They are looking for like-minded people. They are looking for acceptance.
They are not looking to be belittled because they aren’t “enough”.
In short, good post mod. I wrote a book.
I decided that I didn't want to spend hours arguing with people who were, no matter what, determined to drive me off this board. It was a pointless exercise in time-wasting. I am found on only a few threads now, and the attitude you described (which extends to those who don't tow the "approved" line, whether newbie or long-time member) is why.
I suggest that those who are puzzled by my absence review the posts around the time of the early primaries of 2008 and perhaps look in the mirror.