For those of you leaving, staying, watching the show.

FR | 4-1-05 | Bob J

[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.

[oceanperch]

Agree

[Bahbah]

I read all your posts.

[varon]

Big problem I see on this forum is absolute intolerance for differing points of view. You say one thing here and you get savagely attacked. Some of these people are often tyrannical in their opinions and their reactions. (my emphasis)

I couldn't agree more. What irks me most are the ones that when expressing their points of view, intimate that it is the "official" position of this forum. They take it upon themselves to define guidelines to suit their agenda.

To those self appointed definers of conservatism I wish the moose would eat all your cheese and bite your sister in the keester while she's in the shower ;-)

[mabelkitty]

Actually, it's also the sanctimonious of among us who try to belittle others.
Take for example the "who got nothing for Christmas" thread? All sorts of folks were writing all day about what they got for Christmas, and lo and behold, those of us who didn't (for whatever reason) were dismissed as selfish and ungrateful because we didn't get a gift and appreciate others things in our lives. Really.

That &*(&^ gets old after a while - especially when people thread jump just to opine about the posters and not the subject. Another one is when these same folks jump on every famous person is dead/arrested thread.

[McGavin999]

We've been through this so many times in the past that you'd think we'd know by now that we must not give in to the pot stirrers.

The name calling on both sides got a little out of hand, but face it, this was an extremely emotional subject.

Like you said, we are a family and in all families there are squabbles and because we are so close those squabbles can get pretty nasty. Now we have work to do and we need each other if we are to get anything accomplished.

[Diva Betsy Ross]

Thanks for the ping tonk, and Bob J you are right. If we could see as much energy as some people use to mock people here go into a march, or a support our troops rally I would be pleased. For anyone interested in getting involved in more than name calling and pouting:

GO HERE TO REALLY PISS OFF A LIBERAL

Well, that is what I am trying to do here anyway. I didn't realize that I would get so much hatred for that from Freepers, but so be it.

Now- if we can just get back to the work at hand.

[Quix]

AMEN! AMEN! AMEN! I much agree--especially about the enemy's skills at dividing and conquering.

---

I just posted this on the following thread requesting prayer for Bush:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/1375834/posts?page=35

Were President Bush to be removed, the encroaching demonic forces so eager to shred our land to smithereens would flood in with greater force and immediacy than folks can imagine. Even were Bush more inauthentic than I think he is, the fact that he claims to be submitted to God in prayer and the fact that he acts greatly more Christian than . . . other critters and the fact that he engenders sooooo much focused prayer for him and for our country stands for a great lot.

In any case, I do not believe that most even sensitive believers realize the press toward chaos which would result from such an attack on Bush. It would not be a relatively smooth Kennedy Johnson type thing. Many more assaults would come in quick follow-on, if not simultaneously. This is not just liberal pique against President Bush out of normal human jealousy—which is bad enough.

LITERAL DEMONIC HOARDS SEEK TO SHRED OUR LAND TO SMITHEREENS. Their sole job is satan’s passion for theft, death and destruction. Prayer and right living; Spirit-led submission to God Almighty and loving actions and hearts toward one another is all that stands in the way. Terri in Florida was not a good sign. It was good that Congress made the effort. But the poll figures even with stacked questions were not wonderful.

I’m reminded of the audiences’ reaction to CLOCKWORK ORANGE 34 years ago in Hollywood. The audiences’ reactions proved the nihilism in the film. Fast forward. Terri in Florida. The culture of death and meaninglessness, destruction, has advanced wholesale.

PRAYER FOR PRESIDENT BUSH IS NOT JUST PRAYER FOR THE PRESIDENT. IT IS PRAYER FOR YOUR OWN SURVIVAL in any semblance of a normal mode for a while longer.

---

i THINK AND FEEL that this call to prayer has a greater sense of urgency and import behind it than even my usual. What is your sense Alamo-Girl?

It is not even too far fetched to me . . . to wonder . . . there have been a LOT of noisey things on FR recently with Terri and now with cherished OLD TIMERS leaving in dismay.

Can it be that FR has been under extra demonic attack, too?

Or is Quix just being too Quixy?

[Quix]

for sure.

pLEASE CONSIDER SOME OF THE POSTS ON THIS STILL SHORT THREAD WHICH ASSERT SIMILARLY.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/1375834/posts?page=35

[Quix]

SADLY, FAR TOOOOOO TRUE.

[drlevy88]

LITERAL DEMONIC HOARDS SEEK TO SHRED OUR LAND TO SMITHEREENS.

Satan's shrieking shills seek to shred our shores to smithereens

[WhiteGuy]

"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."

Well said.

The real enemy is government.

[CDHart]

"It has worked well for them in the past and they count on it working again for them now and in the future. "

You're right. In the early '70s we got involved in politics in Florida, and those on the conservative side spent more time tearing each other down than they did fighting the real enemy.

Carolyn

[Quix]

If you're the token numbskull, what does that leave me?

[Quix]

HEAR! HEAR!

Shrillery Antoinette de Foserizer de Machiavelli de Sade must be kept as far away from the White House as possible. Foerever.

Complacency and apathy is suicidal.

[Fzob]

From one crusty bugger to another, Well said.

[Quix]

You approach being

simply sensationally scintilating surely as sunrise on serenely silent Sunday Siestas.

[RottiBiz]

Post as if you are talking to the thousands that will read you, not one numbskull.

Kudos, Bob J!

Outstanding essay.

[P.O.E.]

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.

Like pickpockets at the circus, they count on your distraction.

[T'wit]

>> 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?

Hell yes.

Well, I shouldn't speak for other crusty buggers.

P.S. Please look up the word "buggers" in a good British dictionary.

[clamper1797]

Good Post Bob