Posted on 04/01/2005 9:51:33 PM PST by Bob J
For those of you who don’t know, Jim and the mods treat old timers a little different than newbies. They get a little more slack, a few more mulligans than those who signed up in last four years or so.
I always wondered if that was a good policy. After all, why should the crusty buggers be treated any differently than someone who signed up last week? Are they more intelligent, are their arguments more cohesive…persuasive? Do they have any more or less to contribute to this community we call the Free Republic? Not necessarily.
But they do have one thing new participants don’t and that is perspective. In a way us curmudgeons can help provide a sense of continuity and historical perspective to events that newcomers cannot. Sometimes, we are the glue the bridges Free Republic from one crisis to the next. I believe the recent Sciavo issue is one of those times so I am going to ante again and prove to Jim that his investment is worthy of it’s returns. I ask other old timers to chime in and pull their weight as well.
The Forum has a history of going through upheavels in terms of political philosophy and/or cultural standards, this is not unusual for a community such as outs. The first thing we need to understand is that the conservative movement is made up of many individuals with different motivations. For example, some are economic minded, some are culturally based, some are second amendment supporters and others view their vision on religious principles. Sometimes these differences can cause us to reevaluate our alliances. But that would be a mistake. The left is counting on us tearing ourselves apart from within for that is the very philosophy upon which their strategy is based…foment division and hatred then attack at the breach. It has worked well for them in the past and they count on it working again for them now and in the future.
My humble opinion and suggestion to all is in these times of contention and confusion, that we remind ourselves who the real enemy is and where the battles ought to be fought. On more than one occasion I have had firefights on FR with individuals who later I found myself sitting next to in a foxhole when we were fighting the real enemy…the militant left. I berated myself for some of the things I had posted and wished I could take them back. For here was my true brother or sister, sitting in the foxhole with me, taking hits with me, helping to lead the bravest charge at our direst moment. How could I have been so thoughtless in my moment of indulgence?
We may divided, on occasion, but let’s not lose sight of the fact that we are all brothers and sisters fighting the good fight against those who would enslave us and our children into bondage for generations. Argue the good argument, stand on principle, but let’s not forget we are all ultimately on the same team. The man or woman you trash today might be the brave soul who saves your behind tomorrow.
Let’s keep out eye on the ball.
For me, I normally read the blurb before I decide to jump in, as titles can be pretty misleading.
I've really enjoyed the Opus threads today. Have noticed a definite decrease in Viking Kitty threads the past day or two. This is both good, and bad, as the VK threads can be really funny at times, but it also means the trolls have been directed elsewhere.
Regarding the historical tenor of the site, I figure folks have to take it all in stride. BBSs were the same way back in the day. An echo would have highs and lows of civility depending upon what was in the daily news. I found the same thing to be true on some of the unmoderated mailing lists I used to be a member of waaaaaaaaay back before this WWW thing took off, and the internet was all gopher, archie, veronica, and ftp.
People don't seem to change all that much. We'll be all hot and bothered about something and there will be much yelling, and gnashing of teeth, then things will calm down a bit. Some folks will leave, some will stay, and newbies will join in and invariably ask stupid questions :-)
I'm kind of glad I didn't spend much time on the Schievo(sp?) threads, as from what little I saw, it brought out some of the worst in people. I think that is because it is so easy to personalize the situation. Every one can imagine tragedy striking a loved one or even themselves. That makes the emotional atmosphere even more charged than it normally would be. This upsets folks who think that because civility seems to be at a low point, that it is going to stay that way forever, but it won't. I think this is true mainly because it is difficult to maintain the energy that it takes to be so emotionally charged all the time. People need time to regroup and recharge their batteries.
I'd also like to point out here that I've seen some really great posts recently about a number of topics. Several threads about the Pope were, for the most part, a joy to read. They were also sad, in many ways, but I some of the rememberances were pretty uplifting.
So, to any who read this post, cheer up. This site will change from day to day. Some days you'll like it. Some days you won't. Take it all in stride and overall, you'll benefit from it. Where else will you find a thread about William Wallace's sword, followed by a thread about dark matter?
You'll NEVER get a consensus of opinion as to which one was DFU's "worst" parody. :-)
Oh, yeah, I had forgotten about that one! Come to think of it, the rise and fall (mostly the fall) of Newt was pretty acrimonious at one point...
How come the good old days seem to be so bad? LOL!!!
Believe me, I'm definitely getting an education tonight.
Keep 'em coming folks: CC- 1 TC-2
"Post as if you are talking to the thousands that will read you, not one numbskull."
This is a very great point!
I had this brought home to me the other night when I was in a constant conversation on one thread with 2-3 people who had difficulty applying plain logic to explain some people's actions. It was a long and difficult task and in the end - I wasn't sure I had made any headway. Like you said Bob, I was more focused on the 2-3 people than who else was reading what I said.
The following day I received a private message thanking me for persisting with my comments on a certain thread. They said, "I appreciate your efforts to keep pounding the truth - and I want you to know many others do too".
While I was busy focused on a few people, there were others cheering me on that I was not even aware of. While I've always believed a lot of people read these threads, this really brought it home to me.
We have to stop taking things so personally. Sometimes these people bait us just to watch us explode - it's a game - and we should stop allowing them to be in charge of the rules.
Oh man, that's cold!
lol!
Exactly what I was going to post to him...you beat me to it.
Oh, you will be, [He says sinisterly], you will be...
Bingo.
Thank you for this wonderful post. It was eloquently stated and sorely needed.
I'm composing a response but I keep falling asleep. lol! If I don't make it back, I'll post it tomorrow.
Bumpt to that.
Absolutely not.
Real freepers and real conservatives think alike :)
Excellent words of wisdom Bob. During the furor of the last couple of weeks, it was distressing to see posters who normally would have been in agreement on many things rip each other apart. I wondered how it would be when this was all over. We now see a few leaving (or saying they are) disregarding the fact that we are on the same side in this fight for our lives.
Thank you for taking the time to put these words before us.
Take comfort from the words of Jesus the Christ. "Fear not...for I am with you always, even unto the end of the world"
***How come the good old days seem to be so bad? LOL!!!***
There is such a juxtaposition for "fools" today (at least it is still the 1st in my neck of the woods)----that we don't have to look too far for the answer to your question.
April 1. This is the day upon which we are reminded of what we are on the other three hundred and sixty-four. ~Mark Twain, Pudd'nhead Wilson, 1894
Proverbs 20:3 It is an honor for a man to cease from strife and keep aloof from it, but every fool will quarrel.
We all have the potential to be quarreling fools. :-)
"Right now I'm guessing signups '97-'00"
No kidding?
Does that make me an oldbie?
;o)
Good post.
Thank you.
Usually, when people say they're not a "full-blown conservative" it means they're liberal.
Being a little bit socialist, is like having a little bit of cancer.
This thread begs for your comments.
Or, maybe it doesn't.
Baloney.
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