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.
I just wish they would leave quietly without trying to tear the place apart on their exit.
I'll bump to that. Nice post Bob J
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.Excellent posts, folks. Thanks for the post and ping. :)
Old media was in a collective comma with Torricelli as well but contrast that to their full fledged scorn with Gov. Rowland (R).
Very well stated.
Yeah, but it took another oldtimer to contribute the jackelope. ;-)
Yes. It stinks.
When I heard about the outcome I thought for sure I had heard it wrong! The ordinary man or woman off the street would be in jail for YEARS.
The old/liberal/socialist media is still America's most evil and destructive enemy.
The deal is not done yet. He is supposed to cooperate (has been cooperating?) and if he doesn't the deal will be off.
I was one who for months posited that he was being pressured to cooperate when others would post about how Berger was not being pursued. I was right about my first point, I don't see why I wouldn't be right now.
are you calling me old?
The problem in large part is calling good, decent, law-abiding, God-fearing people "persistently evil".
That and accepting and spreading rumors as fact, rejecting documentation offered in good faith, and mischaracterizing what freepers have said.
My point making the statement about being a newbie was that newbies are often scoffed at just for being a newbie. The scoffing over date status has often made me walk away from the forum from time to time and caused consideration to pull my monthly contribution off the shelf. It gets old quick. Yes you can learn for experience but when I get private emails telling me that someone has been here longer and gives more money it is a huge turnoff. There are several people around here who have been here a long time and behave like high school seniors hazing freshmen.
Remember, it's the Soldier who guarantees us the right to vote, not the politicians in DC.
You're right, of course.
Do you know anything about Ollie North's Freedom Alliance?
The old corps had the ability to argue, debate and rationalize; too many newcomers shoot from the hip and when they are found wide of the mark want to claim the gun wasn't even loaded.
I disagree that Elian was worse. It wasn't, this is.
I agree FR will survive. Time will tell how strongly.
Jim has stated "facts" don't matter. That has thrown many for a loop and does not auger well for FR being a force to be respected.
"Do you know anything about Ollie North's Freedom Alliance?"
No, but Olllie is a fellow Brother
and if you find anything out, please let me know.
Interesting point. It lowers my ire on this issue.
And the fact that he states that he is guilty will make it very hard for him to weasle out.
Wonder who he will implicate? He shredded 3 of 5 copies of the memo that notes written on them that came from other key cabinet members.
Rush wanted to know who they were and what they said.
Sentencing has been set for July 8, so hopefully before then we will learn some answers to some of our questions.
When news broke on Thursday about the deal being struck, Pete Williams on MSNBC was the first to report he had learned it entailed Berger cooperating. I, who had been bummed in reading the first brief article and had sadly thought it was the slap on the wrist it appeared to be, felt my spirit soar as that had been my theory---that they were trying to get him to spill the beans.
Williams stated flatly he didn't understand what there was to cooperate with if this was the black and white issue it appeared to be. Not to me (and others here) who figured Berger did not do this for his own purpose and was doing it in conjunction with others (and we can all deduce who...).
So, I say it is way too soon to say it is nothing and a slap on the wrist.
"clamper1797
Since Jan 26, 2001"
Newbie...;o)
(I've always want to say that...lol)
I'd be willing to grandfather in all
who were lurking prior to 1-1-01,
provided they signed up in Jan., and
are monthly contributors to FR. ;o)
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