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.

[It's me]

Good post.

Only spoiled brats who don't get their way have a temper tantrum and leave...

...Only to come back under another alias.

[Col Freeper]

Well put, as usual Bob J.

I have read a lot of things posted to FR over the years, and have seen a lot of good, thoughtful responses, as well as some really, really bad responses.

However, one thing that "computer seat time" on FR will provide, is the gradual but steady recognition of who is most likely to post the good thoughtful responses, and those who aren't.

FR is (IMHO) THE place to see the rapid puncturing of leftist hot air pontifications, and to gain access to the most rounded discussion of the issues which face us now, and in the future.

As to flaming and excess rhetoric, there is sometimes a fine line between strongly stated positions and outrightly hostile/needlessly childish, posts.

I have, over the years, referred a lot of folks to FR. When I do, I tell them outright that it is a Conservative site with a wide ranging set of positions. I also tell them not to expect to join and post indefensible positions or issues because there are many finely tuned minds, and years of experience in every imaginable field, available on FR. And FReepers do not countenance falsehoods in any form.

My wish would be for all FReepers to stay the course. We are brothers and sisters in arms against enemies both internal and external, and if we perservere, we will ultimately defeat those enemies, and preserve the U.S. of A. for the following generations.

P.S. Keep the pop-up "joined FR" date. It is highly useful in identifying probable trolls. Newbies who are articulate and legitimate will survive that first "when did he/she join" assessment.

[nopardons]

ROTFLMSOPIMP....I am NOT the "most popular poster on FR" and NEVER tried to be. :-)

But yes,Bob, I do my duty here and often times, a whole lot more, quietly; sub rosa.

[Rca2000]

Hey, I resemble that remark(newbie) :)

And I admit that a lot of discord has taken place lately, but I did not realize that some were comparing Terri schiavo to Christ. I DID see the posts blaming Jeb and W, and some about "never forgiving them" I even got caught up a little bit, then, got guided back to sanity by you. No, I do not want to see the old timers leave, as I said on the other post about the other old timer leaving. the veterans here are needed to keep things in check.

However, it looks like some are STILL bent on keeping the discord going, no matter what I,You, or anyone else try to recommend. Shame. As you said, this is what makes DU laugh at us, and nobody wants that!

This is a good site, where we can all benefit from each other's wisdom. We newbies need you oldsters to help keep things that way.

[hleewilder]

Okay, we're even with Constitutional Conservatism (CC) One and Theocratical Conservatism (TC) One.

[Charles H. (The_r0nin)]

This was before my time on FR, why did the division occur on FR during the Elian Gonzales case?

As I had a very strong opinion on the matter, I'm not sure I could give you a fair representation of both sides' arguments. Suffice it to say that there was a very strong contingent of people of FR who believed Elian belonged with his father, and another very strong contingent who believed it was wrong to send anyone back into a Communist country. There was very little "discussion" on the matter, as both sides started from very different premises. They tended just to shout past each other, with lots of name-calling. It was even more passionate than the Schiavo case, especially the night/morning that Elian was taken by the Reno brigades. But we got through it...

[AAABEST]

Especially when it became obvious that this wasn't just one person who felt that his Bible trumped our Constitution.

It's a pitiful state to be in when one believes that any type of document trumps the bible. Even secularists or athiests can not logically dispute the fact that the Holy Bible has moved and civilized humanity in an incredible way. The constitution - and Western civlization for that matter - would have been literally impossible without the bible.

Even the half-assed liberals' wouldn't have their version of "morals" if it wasn't for the Word. They just don't realize it.

Educate yourself.

[Judith Anne]

I agree with you.

[jveritas]

Thank you for the background info.

[Adrastus]

Differences may exist and be tolerated among FRiends. Death is intensley personal and must be faced by us all but only on a personal basis. Each one has their own feeling about death and how to face it. In the end, it seems to me, we can only hope to face it with courage. What we feel as we sit here in air conditioned comfort is one thing. When we feel his hot breath on our neck is another.

[hole_n_one]

I made a conscious effort to learn the etiquette and emulate some of the "crusties" who seemed to be well respected and to treat other posters with respect and not get involved in flame wars.

The terms "respect" and "flame wars" are subjective.

Some sensitive soul might even construe this very reply as being somewhat rude and argumentative.

[little jeremiah]

You count me on the side of "Theocratical Conservatism"? Where do you put Benjamin Franklin, the noted Deist?

When an impasse had been reached at the Continental Congress, Benjamin Franklin called for prayer with these words:
"I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? I therefore beg leave to move--that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business"

[FastCoyote]

"If you cannot move sentimets here on FR, what chance do you have against the legion spurged out every year by our socialist education system?"

Exactly, if you cannot argue well here against whatever is thrown at you AND have a bit of a thick skin, what good would this site be? We are searching for the TRUTH here, that is bound to be a painful process at times.


I know Hannity got miffed at us for being mean towards him, but ya know, everyone and everything should be fair game here. It is the broad spectrum of views that make this worthwhile - everything from insightful geniuses to blithering idiots (and they often change positions depending on the tide).

If you can't handle the heat, take a break from the keyboard and get yerself a beer. It ain't the end of the world if someone has been mean to you on Free Republic, and if you think it's bad here, go out in the real world.

[Sun Soldier]

"I don't see how anyone could be a conservative and not value life."

Do you have to be a full blown conservative to be here on FR? I'm not... should I leave and never come back or what?

[alcuin]

WE know what no newbie does . . . <<<<

WE know . . .

What ain't worth knowin'.

What was DFU's absolutely WORST "parody?"

What was the tar baby's middle name?

Was "Knock it off" plagiarized?

[PoorMuttly]

Very well and accurately put.

Just don't ever run. That's all. The winds blow, the seasons change...but we must always stand our ground. Most of us approach things from ALL of the categories you mentioned. That is why we're here....and STILL here....and nobody shakes us out of it. If we want things to be better in the long run, we must remain ourselves, and present, in the long haul.

[alcuin]

should I leave and never come back or what? <<<

Post a bull, re-register, post more bull.

[spinestein]

[The terms "respect" and "flame wars" are subjective. Some sensitive soul might even construe this very reply as being somewhat rude and argumentative.]



WHAT?! How dare you!

:^)

[justshe]

Excellent post! (The Trent Lott debacle was no fun around here either)

[Charles H. (The_r0nin)]

Don't forget that punk, Hannity.

As much as it would hurt his ego to hear me say it (which is why I'm saying it), I didn't really even see the "crisis" in that one...