Oh, my. My ears are burning again. Now, if I talk about you to other people instead of directly to you, are you more likely to read it? Or is this good?
I hope so. Here goes:
It's not about slack, and I am not part of any FR cliques. I never saw the word "Kult" until EV pointed it out to me (when I thanked EV for doing so), and even the word "cult" is subject to multiple interpretations - and I think it was used in a most benign way.
Example: I like the President. If someone accused me of being in a "Bush Kult", I wouldn't particularly care. I'm secure in my Christian faith, and in context, the word has no religious connotation. What's to be offended about? I like President Bush. So what?
"Secret societies" was clearly a reference to the President, as anyone who follows politics and would darken FreeRepublic's door knows (hardly a subtle reference). There is only one person KFP could have been talking about. There is only one thing KFP WAS talking about. To be coy about it ("When did I say Bush?", to paraphrase) was disingenuous. It's not complicated, Rowdee - but you may have the last word (and I know you will, though probably to someone else, and not to me) because I'm tired of trying to explain the distinction. I'll just let it go now.
If I caused you pain, I apologize. You may talk about me to whomever you desire--here at FR, most have learned to grow a thick skin and I've tried to do likewise.
The word "cult"....you suggest it's subject to multiple interpretations...maybe so; however, considerinig the way the English language has been bastardized in recent years, use of the word cult has virtually always been negataive And when coupled with religious remarks, you can rest assured the implication is negative and was meant to beso.
Interspersed with words like prophet, messiaic, palm leaves, worship, satanic, ad infinitum, would lead most reasonable people to believe the 'worst' rather than passive or 'benign'. Would you not agree?
Somehow words like, "the Bush Kultists passed cookies and candy out to the elderly patients at St. Anthony's Home for Abused Elderly to exhibit but one act of what compassionate conservatism embodies" don't quite reach the level of something like, "the Keyes Kultists would follow their messianic, prophetic, almost satanic-like shrilled-voiced preacher anywhere spewing their venom and spreading palm leaves while crawling on broken glass.
BTW, notice the first sentence is about 'policy' while the second is an attack on not on the Keyesters but on Keyes himself....never a mention of any idea or policy he has put forth.
While FR is popular, I wouldn't count on it being the trend setter for the whole country. From experience, I assure you, there are lots of people around the country that don't even know when we're in election cycles! I can further assure you that not everyone at FR knows everything that's going on, i.e., the 'secret society' thing. While it can be said that many FReepers are quite knowledgable about government and politics, I can also point out that there are a great many who don't think beyond their 'feelings or emotions' to arrive at what government is and/or should be. We even have freepers that don't realize that censuses are taken every 10 years. Nor that they are used for redistricting purposes. Nor that all states go through the redistricting process every 10 years as a result. Surprised? I was--the guy that didn't know this appeared older than me and possibly you--I say possibly cause your Daddy could have sired you in his old age whereas I'm a war baby.
BTW, being 'disingenuous' works both ways....you say KFP is being disingenuous because everyone knows differently, and then you turn around and say that you believe I'm trying to stiffle dissent when I have pointed out to you the fallacy based on what has been posted on the board. In other words, you question his veracity and when called on yours, use the "I believe' defense
Thanks again for pinging the thread.....the more folks with the chance to see that Dr. Keyes will have a program the better it is.
Have a good day, Daughter....