"A HOUSE DIVIDED" - Pukin's FReeperversary Rant

[Pukin Dog]

"A house divided against itself cannot stand." – Abraham Lincoln, 1858

It is getting somewhat strange around these parts when not only the President, but yesterday the First Lady was personally attacked by someone claiming to be a ‘Conservative’. Can there be any doubt that there are forces among us looking to drive a wedge between us?

A few weeks ago, this forum’s owner attempted to remind all of us of the big picture, that regardless of any personal animosity towards the President or Republican Party over their adherence to Conservative principles, that they are still a clear choice over the alternative Democrat Party rule. At that time, I assumed that FReeper-sanity had been restored, and that some of the negative rhetoric aimed at those in Washington D.C. would be dialed back.

Free Republic is a political forum with a proud history and vision, responsible for dragging Dan Rather from his post, and providing countless radio-talk shows with their daily talking points. FReepers are unique in their determination and energy towards protecting and defending the goals of our Founding Fathers.

We are also quite a powder keg of emotion and anticipation, expecting our Republican majorities to take advantage of this opportunity to make permanent gains in our Conservative agenda. Some might argue that this opportunity has been squandered, but those persons would be ignorant of history, lacking understanding that change cannot occur overnight in Washington, and that this is the way our Founders designed our Republic.

In frustration, impatience, and ignorance, we have allowed this forum to become a haven for those who do not share our Conservative goals. I do not blame our enemies anymore then I would blame a scorpion for stinging me. If anger and stupidity were one’s nature, I would expect the trolls that infect this forum to be angry and stupid consistently, which also makes them somewhat easy to detect.

The trolls are not the problem, though. The problem is that so many of us are allowing ourselves to be taken in by those who seek only to prevent us from going to the polls in November to keep their stinking hands off our government for another term. There can be no doubt, that no matter how disappointing our current government has been in promoting the Conservative agenda, that the alternative, enabled by our staying home will be MUCH worse.

The way to deal with Republicans who have actively worked against our goals is to defeat them in Primary elections. We do not even have to defeat them all, only enough of them to send the message that we will indeed target them if they work against our agenda. It should be the goal of EVERY conservative to see that Lincoln Chaffee is defeated in November. His seat is one we can afford to lose. Were I a Rhode Island resident, I would vote for the Democrat if only to send a message to Snowe, Hagel, Collins, Graham, and especially that bastard Specter that their primaries just got a lot tougher.

We only need to get one of them, and Chaffee is the one to get. It does not really matter if a Democrat takes his seat; he will be junior and mute as long as we maintain our overall majority in the Senate.

The one thing that bothers me here like nothing else, is the simple disrespect of the President. Am I am Bush-Bot? Damn straight I am. If you want to know why, click on my handle to read Southack’s excellent list of Bush’s accomplishments in office. But if Bush had done almost nothing in office, it would be no excuse for some of the slights and disrespect he has received from some of us on this forum.

Some of the things I have read here this past week match in tone what one can find on our favorite Democrat sewer site. Someone calling himself or herself a FReeper was promoting shooting aliens at the border until they stopped coming. Is that what we are about? Obviously not, and that so-called Conservative has been eliminated from this forum.

I think it is important to remember that you and I have just as much responsibility as George Bush does in changing our culture to better reflect Conservative values. Right now, this very moment, Conservatives have the government they deserve. We put them there. They are not our mommies and daddies sent out to bring home our Conservative bread. That responsibility lies with all of us. These Republicans represent us, they don’t serve us. Our job is to pick the best individual and send him/her to Washington in the hope that their CHARACTER will see them through.

This is why it is such a nutty thing to consider punishing the Republican party, when we should be letting them know that we’ve got their back, but if they cant do the job, we will replace them with ANOTHER Republican, instead of handing the reigns of government to the party of anger, hopelessness and despair. We sometimes like to think that those people we send to Washington are different from us, that they are capable of meeting our every need and desire.

I want every one of you to think about what you would consider to be your perfect mate. Maybe some of you think you have found that person. If you are married and totally in love with another person, that is great. Now I want to ask you to think about the last time that person you love, who is PERFECT for you, completely pissed you off. Remember, this is your perfect mate, your one true love. Do they do everything you want them to do? Obey your every desire? If you answer yes, I am going to put you on my troll list.

Those people in Washington do not even cut your lawn, yet you expect perfection. Get over it.

I am issuing a challenge to every person who considers him or her to be a Conservative; why don’t we all commit to a return to HONOR? Do we honor our Conservative agenda when we comport ourselves in disgraceful ways? Is it an honorable thing to suggest that our President is a moron, as I read here a few days ago? Is it honorable to attack Laura Bush or any other person representing true Conservative values?

Some of you might argue that George Bush is not representing Conservative values to your liking. I would remind you that the first thing Bush said upon taking office, is that he was going to be President of ALL the people, not just some. You know that if you followed Bush from the beginning that he campaigned of the very immigration platform he is defending right now. Did you vote for him? Yeah?

If you have ever had a steak at a Ruth’s Chris restaurant, you know that sometimes they bring that wonderful steak to your table with a sprig of parsley on it. I hate parsley. Hate it. If I were to treat my steak the way some of us want to treat our President, I would have to throw out the steak, due to that nasty parsley that comes with it. I can deal with the parsley to get the steak, and that is what I am asking FReepers to do.

Expecting perfection from any person, group or team is a recipe for disaster. George W. Bush is my president. You can disagree with him, you can blame him for your problems if that is your desire. If you disrespect his office, his service, his risking his life to be with our troops in Iraq, his steadfast desire to bring a new tone to Washington, or if you just like the way he keeps Democrats so pissed off they lose their minds on a regular basis, I ask you to treat him and his wife with respect and cut the personal attacks. If you call him ‘Shrub’ or ‘Jorge’ consider yourself my enemy.

Right now, our real enemy are the Main Stream Media, the Democrat Party, and all who follow and support them. If you want to jump-ugly on someone, why not start with those leaky bastards and give our side a break?

Do it for Pukin.

I knew that you could.

[infidel29]

Good rant.

As a former left of center independent, who has become way more conservative than my lifelong conservative friends I can't vote the RINOs out in primaries until I complete my transformation to the good side of the force. That doesn't mean I don't know how things should be done.

The way to get our agenda through all the liberal BS is to increase the majority until it is idiot proof. So that speed bumps like Specter, Chaffee, Snow, Collins, Hagel... on and on, no longer matter. A nice 60 - 40 senate split would do it. And would send the message to the RINOs that they aren't safe when their time is up.

[Toby06]

I don't have the name list handy, as I don't visit antifreep websites, but there is an awful lot of sideband chatter to that regard. Where is Willie Green, btw?

[SoCalPol]

Excellent rant!!

There seems to be folks in different categories that are undermining.
The DU and Third Party trolls who have nothing constructive
to offer but trouble.

Also the ones who find fault with the President at every policy.

And the ones who find fault if you support the President but may not agree with a policy and are put in the all or nothing position.

We need to keep a Republican majority. I don't want StretchPelosi as Speaker.
I don't want Democrats as chairman of committies.

[I got the rope]

Right now, our real enemy are the Main Stream Media, the Democrat Party, and all who follow and support them. If you want to jump-ugly on someone, why not start with those leaky bastards and give our side a break?

Yeah, it tells you that he's a smart politician. It would be a crazy thing to let the media get a shot of Bush holding KH's hand. Why launch a thousand rumors on the wacky-left MSM? And, by the way, you have no idea how comfortable he was holding hands with the Arab.

So...which is it? Do you or do you not care what the Drive-by media says? You're not a conservative you're a confused Bushbot...so please spare us... you whiner.

[Torie]

Cameron was more than 84% Latino in the 2000 census. Also, Latinos who don't live in Hispanic ghettos, tend I suspect to be more GOP.

[Torie]

I think the drop off is straight line, but i could be wrong. Having said that, Bush ran very well among rural Latinos in Texas.

[mdittmar]

I think it is important to remember that you and I have just as much responsibility as George Bush does in changing our culture to better reflect Conservative values.

Thanks for the reminder,We have more responsibility.

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

[Pukin Dog]

I'm tired and signing off for the night. But, I would like to welcome everyone to the next chapter of trolling for trolls. I think a lot of you understand that many of us are tired from today's activities so you are choosing now to come out from under your rocks. No matter. All things in due time. Yall come back now.

[nopardons]

Oooooooooooo...it's the Jooooooooooooooos, the Trilats, the Buildyourownburgers, Skull&Bones, the Masons, the Illuminati, the Gnomes of Switzerland, and how many other pet bogeymen?

Are you seeing the black helicopters circling your house, these days? LOL

[ClancyJ]

I have not even mentioned the fence. I would love a fence and I will fight for it - but I will not throw in the towel and give my vote to a democrat for anything.

I am talking about those that threaten to quit if they do not get their way. Or those that want to teach the GOP a lesson by making them lose.

People like that will just move to another issue and do the same.

They are quitters and that is their only power. They do not stand and fight - they stick the GOP in the eye on any particular point not going their way. We don't need those tactics.

We need people who are fighting the dems and the destruction of this country. And, the only ones subject to getting into office and fighting for our side are the Republicans even though many are worthless.

I don't appreciate conservatives gambling with the future of my country.

[AntiGuv]

Yeah, well, as is frequently noted around here, George W. Bush will never run for election again.

[Admin Moderator]

People have gotten banned for not being bushbots,plain & simple.

Baloney.

[Torie]

They're Italians. Just ask Barone.

[nopardons]

BRAVO!

[Warren_Piece]

One thing I will throw at you: I'm not sure I'm buying your premise about Bush 41. First off, let me say that you are correct that the tax hike caused a mass defection of the base. But I don't neccessarily agree that the reason he lost was the tax hike/defection.

I remember that year well. Clinton was a WEAK candidate. He "came back" about 3 times that year. Bush still should have won, and probably would have, even WITH the mass defections, save for 3 events:

1) Pat Buchanan uttering the words "religious war" at the convention.
2) Goofy-man entering as a 3rd party candidate on his personal vendetta against the Bushs.
3) Bush 41 looking at his watch during one of the debates.

The first drove away the soccer moms that might have given Bush the win. The second drew in not tax hawks, but deficit hawks (that was his main campaign theme), also "Reagan" union types and anti-NAFTA folks. The third gave the impression to the mushy middle that Bush didn't really want the job, so they gladly obliged. (and don't forget about the "little things" - supermarket scanner, "bozos", etc .

My premise is (and always will be) is that the election is won by winning over the mushy middle. If the base defects, you have to pull in even more of the middle, but you can still win. Bush would have STILL won (most people thought Billy-Boy was a joke) if it hadn't been for those events I listed above.

So once again, I don't buy your premise. There are many political analysts, poll analysts, etc. who post at FR. Maybe they can tell us whose premise is correct?

[Beagle8U]

"Let things be imported and let the prices raise."

The single issue I was speaking of in my post was stoop farm labor. Thats it. I'm not wanting to depend on food imports, and once that small farm goes under, the land gets developed and will never come back into production.

Most other jobs that immigrants are doing, other legal Americans will do for any reasonable wage, stoop labor isn't one they will though.

We need to go back to a "migrant worker" program like we had in the early 60's, pick the crops, then go home.

The liberals got rid of that program saying it was slave labor.

[Quix]

LOL! Dagnabbit, I was just trying to be polite.
- - -

Oh. Sorry.

I guess Shrillery and polite in the same post just fries my synapses . . .

!!!ERROR!!! DOES NOT COMPUTE !!!ERROR!!! DOES NOT COMPUTE!

[Publius6961]

He's not a dictator, some posts make me think that the poster believes the President can snap his fingers and a problem is solved. Unfortunately, it doesn't work like that, and with the latest venom being directed toward the immigration issue...well that problem has been with us for years, and is not easily solved, so why all the uproar, all of a sudden.

This reminds me of the dysfunctional families that will defend a juvenile delinquent no matter what. A poor analogy, granted but it begs the issue.
Clinton not only acted like a dictator, but got away with it: remember the retroactive tax increases? The mass dismissal of all the federal prosecutors upon taking office? The endless stream of executive orders that are affecting us negatively to this very day?

It is perfectly legitimate and our duty to, if not demand equally creative leadership, to wonder what the explanation for the lapse might be.

Of course this does not ever require a personal attack, but the less mature among us can't help it. After all, they all don't have a dozen personal handlers to prevent them from "foot in mouth" disease, or from putting mouth in gear before engaging brain.

[George W. Bush]

The Republican Party needs to look the country in the eye and say "We hear you!", and say they're building a physical fence, from sea-to-sea, and then start construction. It won't nearly be finished by election time, but the BorderBots will have something to vote to protect.

You're very good at parsing this and stating it in very attractive ways. I do think this would do the trick for many. For me, I already have a congressional candidate and a Dim senator to defeat so I already have a 'stake'. But there are many others who don't feel that way. You're right about how feelings play a role.

[do the dhue]

Hello Miss AmericanPie,

when our President takes the oath he/she becomes the President of all the people. That President will still guide the country in the direction he/she believes is best. I think Bush was trying to unite the people when he said that. I don't see the gun bills of the nineties, and partial birth abortion is not going on. Not all to the President's credit. Congress is Republican. Yes, we have been spending a lot. We are at war and yes we still spend money on rain forest in Iowa. These things need to stop. My concern is RINOs and I will not run from this Party. This party is Elephant territory and I don't want no stickin' RINOs on my turf. I have vowed to try to take them out in the Primary. After that I think about living with a RINO or Demorat and the clear choice is the RINO. And I actually should thank a few of them because they give us the majority over the Demorats. And Elephants hate rats.

As far as the Amnesty thing goes. I don't see it as Amnesty. Illegals did the crime and I think they should pay the fine. They should have to get in the back of the line. I think we should try to give this a chance with the understanding that we still have more work to do. Like enforcing the laws that we have on the books now. And I think we need to look at immigration as a hole. It is my understanding that people are still over staying their VISA and we do nothing about it. And our northern border needs to be addressed because terrorist are most likely to come from Canada rather then Mehico. And we must clean our own party up. These are the things we need to fix. We can do that as long as we Conservative don't cut and run. We need to defend our turf. And we will need all the people of our grass roots to help.