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.
Freerepublic. Where political discussion is a contact sport.
Just wait for the primary races in 07-08! That should be...interesting.
Well stated.
Here I am on the minority side in the Schiavo Event.
But my hatred of Liberalism keeps me grounded.
Thank you Jim Robinson for FreeRepublic
bump
Wow, you really said it well.
We sometimes do lose the language, which is expected of the news media, but not here.
Just my two cents...
Amen!!!
redrock
First I applaud your honesty. But, frankly you are not the only one and perhaps your observations are shared by many.
When I first came to Free Republic it was at the time where the threads were White Water and about Clinton and his well worthless being on this earth.
I found a common good on FR. Dave and I even went down to DC for the rally, held on Halloween, I believe. After a while life got hectic and I drifted from FR, I followed the threads regarding the news but not really having time to respond so a few years past and I found that I was in need of a common good fix and returned to Free Republic.
While I was welcomed with open arms. I seemed to get into trouble more than one would having been with FR as long as I had. I would forget to post the exact link, only the link to the publication. I would search for a duplicate and would not find one and pray tell there it was already posted. During the holidays the White House Museum writes an essay creates the annual ornament. I thought it was great, the essay, I posted it and it was removed for solicitation.
Nobody intends to post a duplicate but when it is pulled, there are many good ideas that go down the drain. I do not know how to remedy that but I do know I feel bad when a thread is pulled.
Thread hijacking. I thought it was one of those rules, that said to not go off topic on a thread and to go to one that is offering the discussion you are interested in. The Schiavo case comes to mind. I posted about other's at the Hospice and nothing about Terri and there it was going to Terri land. Even worse when a soldier was found guilty facing 10 years folks were posting Terri comments.
Then of course there are the excerpts that drive all of us crazy. I failed there a couple of times but not intentionally. I am sure someone reading this is now saying blah blah blah ... go away Former Military Chick.
I wont, but I wonder why cannot make this the place on the net to come and share common goals, debate current issues and when there is disagreement that you respectfully agree to disagree. That we have updated excerpt pages, duplicate instruction, a thread that perhaps is on the welcome page, on the posting page? Not that we are not capable of searching but it is tough at times and there are new folks everyday that seem unaware of where the rules and regs are for Free Republic.
We can leave or make things better. Perhaps your thread will open up that discussion. I know there are many who thank JR for creating a forum for us to gather and discuss openly, honestly and loudly, I hope that will continue to be the mandate.
Lastly I agree with you Tonk about the military as posted at comment #186 thank you kind sir.
Amen to that!
I am still considered a newbie and I whole heartedly agree with you!
Thank you for your post!
As I'm sure you already know, that's because many of these radical, pro-life Freepers are actually Dem operatives here to divide from within.
This is for all the pro-life people who haven't been paying attention and have let themselves become emotionally-driven for the past few weeks:
Start looking for it. It's here. Stop letting yourselves be led around with a ring through your nose. You're smarter than that.
Yes, and that's what many of us love about it.
Just wait for the primary races in 07-08! That should be...interesting.
Spoken like a TRUE political junkie......(I are one, too.) ;)
Excellent post.
si.
the ball to keep an eye on is hillary '08.
No family that I know of agrees on everything, so why should FreeRepublic be different. So lets agree to disagree, and start working on a common goal.
Protecting and defending this great nation against enemies both foreign and domestic.
Bump!
Are all the Opi (or, as Congressman Billybob called them last night, opera) over?
.... especially John Wayne Gacy.
;-)
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