[wardaddy]

I don't think a lot of FReepers are going to sit out. I'm sure not but I'll be damned if I'll cheerlead Bush's amnesty nor the RINO's capitulations. Bush will be gone. Replace him with someone less like Bush's daddy and dump the RINOs. But I can tell you. That is not what the BOTs here are suggesting they are Bush and GOP period and we are supposed to like it. I have seen less than a handful here say they would actually support Dems. We may not opne our pocketbooks as much. Nor is this not to say that the GOP could go the way of the Whigs in time.

I think the BOTs and their taskmasters use that as an excuse to try to stem any criticism of their demigod GW.

That is what I see night after night here when the long knives come out.

Anyone have a clue as to how many old time FReepers have been banned the past month?

30-50?

Some freepers (not you) do nothing....absolutely nothing ...but run up and down thread after thread baiting folks and calling the Mods who are in leagues obviously and look for reasons to ban folks over criticizing Bush, RINOs or immigration squabbles.

This is always how it works here on FREE REPUBLIC.

Any contentious issue and the sides line up and whoever had the PTB and the Mods on their side then runs around pell mell looking to slash and burn because they can and they get a perverse pleasure out of it.

Over and over....Schiavo, Harrietgate, Lottgate , The Port Deal....you name it.

The same ones all pissed off during Schiavo and Harrietgate at JR and the Mods are now the same bunch running up and down forum threads like high fiving night riders.

It's disgusting, despicable and gives a nice window into the rather sorry side of human nature. Especially when that human nature involves folks who have no life but punching out a keyboard night after night with nothing but contempt and negativity and relishing taking down others.

These folks never got beyond High School and a few look like they share DNA with Tony Soprano's mother.

I used to wonder what made anti-freepers tick.

I used to think the folks ranting about immigration were alarmists.

This one may not pass. But the same hyenas that have made hay off this immigration schism will still be here enjoying their dark sport.

And decent less petty larger minded folks will have long left.

those soft on immigration tend to often be socially moderate anyhow....go to a South Bashing thread....the Open Borders and South Bashers often merge

[SerpentDove]

>> It's disgusting, despicable and gives a nice window into the rather sorry side of human nature. Especially when that human nature involves folks who have no life but punching out a keyboard night after night with nothing but contempt and negativity and relishing taking down others.<<

Sadly, I have to agree. I have seen this over and over and over again.

I was sickened when I saw the same arrogant, condescending, sarcastic, nasty attitude come out of those who were laughing and high-fiving one another while Terri Schiavo was being starved to death. They were ready to dance on her grave it seems. No matter what side of the issue you are on, that is just deplorable.

I know these are old wounds, but it is such an indictment on what you rightly call "the rather sorry side of human nature."

[La Enchiladita]

Good essay, wardaddy, tell it like it is.

I would call it the 'underbelly' of human nature.

It is one thing to be vile, petty and mean and another to do it with such glee.

How does that align with "what we are trying to accomplish here?"

In the past few days, I have had the last of the wool pulled from over my eyes.

I sadly see that what people were telling me is true.

Is it a fact, as FReeper 'winker' says, there is no longer any venue where a patriotic American can speak their mind?

When I joined up nearly 2 years ago, the discourse here was at a level worthy of citizens who call themselves conservatives.

Some, like Just Piper, have continued to conduct themselves with dignity and purpose; and some, like joanie-f, with passion and clarity.

Citizens who think for themselves and speak up bravely are far more valuable to our Republic than those who are an endless echo chamber of talking points.

[CitizenUSA]

wardaddy wrote: "I think the BOTs and their taskmasters use that as an excuse to try to stem any criticism of their demigod GW."

I agree Free Republic has its share of apologists for GW and the RINOs, but I think your characterization of the moderators and Jim Robinson is totally unfair! Read some of my past posts, and you'll see I've been very critical of GW for several years--yet, I'm not banned (yet).

The way I see it, we have a pretty open forum here to debate the issues. Just because we FReepers disagree on certain points, we all need to come together and do what's best for this country BEFORE election time. That doesn't mean all dissent should be squashed, and I don't believe it is. It only means we need to remember we are essentially on the same side here.

[JustPiper]

Amazing and honest post, it took courage WD and I personally thank you from my war-beaten soul!

[JustPiper]

Anyone wishing to be on/off this pinglist please PM me!

To post # 140

[JustPiper]

Livia Soprano says President Bush wants Jeb to be next President

[antceecee]

This post of yours makes perfect sense to me now. You have freepmail.

[B4Ranch]

Good essay!

Why is the truth always so obvious?

[WKB]

Sometimes it looks like the Republicans are
more effective as the minority.
If I may use that word in the same sentence with
Republicans.