A Letter to My Fellow FReepers

self | Thursday, September 13, 2001 | Kristinn

[kristinn]

Recently, some well known posters on FR have stated that criticism of the Bush administration is treasonous and cause for those critics to be arrested under martial law. Those comments have been cheered by dozens of other active FReepers.

I am watching Free Republic turn into a totalitarian groupthink of the kind that the left used to unjustly smear us with when we criticized the Clinton administration.

Good people like Alan Keyes and Larry Klayman who stood tall and faithful with FR for years, and posters who supported them, have been crucified as heretics and run out of the FR family for daring to criticize the Bush administration.

The forum is now dominated by vicious Bush supporters with an 'Us versus Them' mentality against fellow conservatives. The desire to root out government corruption and advance conservative causes has been replaced with a bloodlust and blacklisting for those who don't worship the Bush administration like they do. This situation has been going on for awhile, but it has gotten out of hand with this week's terrorist attacks.

Now, with regards to the present situation, I'd like to pose some questions: Why were all passenger flights grounded for almost three days since the attacks so that new security procedures could be put in place? If our air traffic safety was so secure before, why is there a perceived problem now ? Could it be that it wasn't really that safe ?

Where were our intelligence services ? Why did we have Clinton holdover DCI, George Tenent, doing the work of the Secretary of State in the Middle East instead of cleaning up the wreckage of the past eight years ?

How is it that foreign terrorists can go to flight school in the U.S., plot and carry out a complicated, coordinated massive assault involving several dozen conspirators against two vital American facilities without being detected ?

How is it that four hijacked planes flew unmolested and unchallenged by neither our air traffic control system or our military ?

We have experienced a massive failure of our almighty-two-trillion-dollar-peacekeeper-of-everywhere-but-home-bipartisan-protection-racket-federal government.

Thousands upon thousands of our fellow citizens are dead because of this failure to detect or intercept these heinous terrorist acts during either the months before or the hours of their execution.

The federal government lulled us into thinking that those silly questions (is this your luggage ?) and an ID check at the gate made flying safe. All the while there were gaping holes in our defenses.

They let us down.

The purpose; the job; the responsibility of the federal government is set forth in the preamble to the Constitution:

WE THE PEOPLE of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

The eight corrupt years of President Clinton accompanied by four corrupt, compromised Congresses followed by nine months of a Bush administration that chose to sweep the rot of those years under the rug rather than clean it up has cost us dearly.

For those who say nine months is too short to change things in the government, remember this was the return of the grown-ups to Washington; this was the return of wise, experienced old hands such as Dick Cheney, Don Rumsfeld, Colin Powell, John Ashcroft and former President Bush; this was the era of the rising stars like Condi Rice, Karl Rove, and Karen Hughes. They chose to 'move on', not clean up.

In the aftermath of the attacks, it appears that the Executive and Legislative branches of our constitutional republic are finally bearing their responsibilties as they should. Except that while they call this attack an act of war, they are refusing to actually declare war.

The terrorists and those who aided and abetted them bear full responsibilty for the deaths and destruction and should pay with their lives and their cities.

But the federal government bears responsibility for leaving this nation and its citizens so vulnerable. Saying that is not treasonous--it is said out of patriotism and borne of a love of this Great Nation and a desire to see it survive.

One of Free Republic's greatest strengths has been the freedom to ask the hard questions of our government. It would be a crime to lose this freedom to any mob of posters, especially in this time of crisis.

I support President Bush, but I reserve the right to criticize him without my patriotism being called into doubt.

[kristinn]

Thank you for reading this.

[StoneColdGOP]

Blah...

[BluesDuke]

It is worth it now to remember some sage counsel from Edward R. Murrow: We proclaim ourselves, as indeed we are, the defenders of freedom - what's left of it in the world - but we cannot defend freedom abroad by deserting it at home.

[Brad’s Gramma]

You're wrong, Kristinn. You ARE right that you can still criticize, but for now, we're at war. We HAVE to remain united. I posted earlier, that even IF this had happened under Clinton's watch, I'd STILL be praying for wisdom for him, the same as Bush.

THE RULES HAVE CHANGED.....do you actually think any of us LIKE that??????

Please, you know we're being monitored. No, I don't do foil....just be really really careful, OK????

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Now is the time for ALL TRUE Americans to UNITE and stand behind President Bush!
Any political differences should be put aside during this time of America's darkest hours.
UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL

God Bless America!
V is for VICTORY!
What We as Americans Can Do
1) Pray
2) Check the Red Cross website for what supplies are needed.
3) Fly the American Flag!
4) Be prepared to make some sacrifices BUT continue to live your everyday life.
DO NOT LET TERRORISTS THINK THEY HAVE CHANGED OUR LIVES!
5) Support our military and law enforcement.

NEVER talk to ANYONE about
(in public, on a phone line, in an e-mail, in a chat room,
on an internet instant messenger or post on any forum)
1) military troop movement, military weapons, military operations, military supplies
2) current law enforcement investigations
3) locations of any members of the administration, Congress or their families.

Call the FBI Toll Free at 1-866-483-5137
if you see or hear anything that threatens our national security.

OUR ENEMIES MONITOR ALL COMMUNICATIONS,
INCLUDING FREE REPUBLIC

LOOSE LIPS SINKS SHIPS!

[rockfish59]

i criticize bush too, especially on trying to do an end run on the illegals. i too want revenge against the murdering rats but must realize that bush is in power no matter how much we rant. michael savage is a prime example of wanting a quick strike. most of us feel that way but we have to wait and see what they are planning. i hope it is a long, hard, relentless push against the araRATS!!

meanwhile, the body count grows.

[Cold Heat]

I agree with the first two pharagraphs....after that I loose you because you appear to be placing blame on a free and open country for not having enough security. The only reason they were able to pull this off is that WE didn;t think it could happen to US...Now we know better and we will deal with it.. Let us hold our blame and recriminations until the situation is delt with. As for the retoric I believe It can be blamed on anger, resentment,shock and a little bit of young idealism.

[Uncle Bill]

God bless kristinn. Good comments. Thanks.

[Hank Rearden]

Well, you get a big thumbs-up from me. We need to stand united against terrorists, but the federal government is, to a large extent, an incredibly expensive cluster-f&39.

I think Bush can hold up under this, but I've been squawking for months about the Koolaid-flavor-of-the-day, Daily Drooler, "He's so dreeeemy" stupid photo threads of him we're subjected to every day. Some of those sycophants are the same ones who griped about Klinton Koolaid Drinkers.

They're politicians. They want power and they want our money. And they must be scrutinized closely every damn day because overall they're failing the country and its founding principles - no matter what party they caucus with.

[piasa]

True.

And now some are using this event to call for a national ID. : (

I can do without the 'kill ALL arabs,' 'Kill ALL muslims' thing myself. The government may kill terrorists and go after terrorist-supporters- and that is a neccessary thing that we must now do- but don't cry for the blood of fellow Americans because you ASSUME they are sleepers, because you don't like their looks, or because you are angry and looking for an excuse. Those that do may as well be terrorists themselves. Surely there is no difference in their words.

This is particularly true when I reflect on my Iranian and Saudi naturalized friends who help us pass out flags every Memorial Day at the parade, and who are as patriotic as anyone on this forum. They don't support Islamic radicals or terrorists. Neither should we support blowhard American wannabe terrorists who condemn them because they don't even know them.

This is a dangerous time, and it is going to become more dangerous soon, until the US prevails. But we are still a nation of laws, and we still need to uphold the Constitution, even the parts that are inconvenient or uncomfortable, like the 1st ammendment when someone says something we might not want to hear.

[CWOJackson]

Perhaps Pat Buchanan's recent commentary might help you to understand things a little differently.

"You may not be interested in war," Leon Trotsky said, "but war is interested in you." Yesterday, it hunted us down and snatched thousands from their airplane seats, their morning briefings, and their business meetings with grisly efficiency. In an act of terror too horrific to comprehend, much less control, America was attacked by a power too cowardly to show its face.

A century of titans' clashes left the U.S. mainland unscathed. We felt secure within our borders, confident of our country's strength. But this morning, twin icons to our old invincibility lie ruined. The World Trade Center, monument to our economic dominance, and the Pentagon, center of our military might, now entomb more victims than we can yet count. They leave families ever after affected by their absence and a country lesser for their lost contributions.

Tempted though some may be to glean talking points from the tragedy, this is no time for sermonizing about failed intelligence or soured imperialism. This is a season for a heartsick nation to mourn our fallen and commend our heroes. Details will surface soon enough, but they won't fill empty chairs at dinner tables. Buildings can be reconstructed; broken families cannot.

We may never know with certainty why evil stalked our skies that day. But we can find its agents. With the same steely resolve as the terrorists who targeted us, we will answer with a double measure of the same determination. Any nation that harbored them, any group that supported them, any individual that gave them aid must be held accountable - not in the name of revenge, but for justice's own sake.

The war that came looking for us yesterday plays by unwritten rules. It bypasses our fighting forces, stakes no claim to our territory, and makes weapons of our own assets. Pandemonium and panic are the laurels it covets, but yesterday we denied terror that reward. As casualty reports rose, so too did the spirit of a disconsolate nation - so much so that New York's mayor asked volunteers to stop coming and blood banks couldn't contain willing donors.

Late last night, amidst the carnage of lower Manhattan, an anonymous patriot raised a flag from a twisted lamppost. Beneath its watch, rescue workers toiled through the night, sorting through the wreckage of buildings and bodies. As they tended the wounded and grieved the dead, our banner's colors faded beneath layers of dust, yet it fluttered still -- a tattered reminder that America, though shaken still stands, and will live to fight another day.

______

There is nothing wrong with political debate, but as Pat points out, this is not the time nor the place to attempt to score political points off this tragedy. There are many on FR doing just that. They would serve their positions better by having the respect and decency to at least wait until we have recovered and buried our dead before making their accusations and arguments.

[Lancey Howard]

I think there's a lot of Freepers who are pretty zealous about defending the forum from the scumbag liberals who would do anything to disrupt it and even attempt to cause dissension. Some of the "criticisms" of Bush are just snide and a little too clever. There may have been some overreaction to that lately.

[passionfruit]

Hiya Toots!

I haven't spoken with you for a long time. I understand your concern about Freepers, but remember, emotions and adrenaline are running high right now.

We all just witnessed the most horrific attack our nation has ever seen. We know we are going to war, and we are stunned. Many Freepers may have lost loved ones or are just outraged at the enormity of the loss and the cowardice of the acts.

Most Freepers will stand firm with a President we all worked hard to elect. I think he is an outstanding leader too. Look at all that Freepers have been through together. The Clinton presidency, scandal after scandal, reading your Saturday White house Freep reports with delight, the Florida election. We'll be d@mned if we will sit by while others attack our President.

But Free Republic has always been a place for frank discussion, and sometimes other freepers have unique ideas. Not all of us are behaving in the manner that you discussed.

Frankly, I wouldn't listen to criticisms of W coming from Liberals. It's their job to whine. But intellectual conservatives like Alan Keyes will at least get my ear. And in true conservative fashion, I'll make up my own mind about what I believe.

[Movemout]

I have been mostly supportive of W but I think your comments are right on the money. If somebody thinks they are treasonous their last name must be Beria.

[SiFiPattie]

Thanks for pump up; I agree

[rebelsoldier]

I am on here quite a lot, and I haven't seen such a comment so far. In fact, I have seen quite the opposite from the other side wherein many people have taken this of all opportunities to go Bush bashing, when Bush isn't the problem, the mass murdering terrorists are. If Gore were President, I'd be behind him 100%. We are at war, and unless Bush totally fails to execute swift and massive retaliation with extreme prejudice, I'll back him 100% too.

[proud American in Canada]

Thank you for an excellent letter--very well written and analyzed.

I was overjoyed when Bush squeaked by to become the president--perhaps our relief at not having a President Gore has blinded us to the reality that we must hold our elected officials accountable EVERY DAY.

And let us make sure that in this crisis we do not lose our cherished freedoms, one of which is to post our thoughts freely on the Internet, including FR, without fear of governmental retaliation (I write that last sentence more with hope than with certainty. Anyone for a tax audit?)

[Revel]

"Recently, some well known posters on FR have stated that criticism of the Bush administration is treasonous and cause for those critics to be arrested under martial law. Those comments have been cheered by dozens of other active FReepers."

You notice too ha. Yes-like what happened to the supeana that Burton put out for evidence? It is really getting crazy around here. There is massive hate like I have never seen on FR. There is a thread where about 19 out of 20 people want us to Nuke the muslims without any regard to anything else...Like the fact that once we do then we are saying it is ok for others to use nukes too. You have been one of FR's greatest activists, and many would be wise to listen to you. If this kind of crazyness keeps up then I fear that JR may have to pull the plug.

[gonzo]

kristinn, with you, my friend....FRegards