“I joined because I enjoy the discussions, and find the variety of opinions refreshing. Also, it is a great source for news. Although it seems to be becoming more monolithic in viewpoints, at least among the most vocal.”
“becoming more monolithic” whoopee, you signed up in June and you don’t like us.
To me your short posting history reads like a classic troll.
You stay pretty general for a few weeks and then you start pushing your agenda in a quiet way, by July you were working the Palin vs Romney angle which is pretty good since later you keep pointing out that no one has ever heard of her, you of course were up on any potential threats to Romney.
You make it clear that you are no conservative in your posts and that you don’t think much of us , including the “out of touch” FReepers. You signed up to push Romney and denigrate any conservative that gets in his way.
You are working too hard and clumsily against Palin, it isn’t very skillful for a lawyer.
My agenda is nothing more, and has never been more, than saying things that I believe to be true, or getting involved with discussions I find interesting. No, I’m not a Sarah Palin fan. I didn’t think there was any way she would be selected to be McCain’s VP. Then she was. And now, aftere having a chance to get to know her better, I don’t think there’s any way she will be elected president. In 2012, or ever. I’m not approaching this as a lawyer at all. Just as an amaeteur newshound.
I do think a sizeable element of FR are out of touch. The Those who advocated for Duncan Hunter as president, for instance. Then the birth certificate fiasco. And now Sarah Palin as the Future. That said, I also find many posters to be quite knowledgeable and fascinating. What i fear is that they will be slowly “wished into the cornfield” by those who have moderator power, or at least the ears of the moderators.
I think conservatism is in a lot of trouble, and it needs to be marketed in better ways. That does not mean I am not conservative, at least on certain policies. If I were a troll, I would rather be celebrating on another board, rather than trying to muddle through the days after a major defeat.
I post here because I like the discussion. This thread especially. I will always be honest in my posts, and will not put on a mask to please the majority, be they Palin fanatics, or Obama sympathizers. I hope that as a result, I am not removed from FR, and not branded as a troll, because that is unfair to me and to what I am trying to do.
I have already conceded that I was wrong about Palin being picked at all, and it is possible that in 4 years time she is still a force. I am not a crystal ball reader. I just hope that you and others can realize that although I am not a cheerleader-type poster, I still can have a place here.