Posted on 02/12/2016 10:04:27 PM PST by Optimist
Over the past several months, Free Republic has begun to show an ugly side of its members. Although admittedly comprised of many strong-willed, opinion-charged individuals presenting thoughtful, conservative insights into the topics of the day, this forum has begun to show a seamier side as the Trump-Cruz-Rubio-Carson 2016 Primary heated up. You all know what I mean. Many of you have either been at the giving or receiving end of EMOTIONALLY-charged attacks against various candidates or even individuals as their supporters.
Herewith a few thoughts I would like to share:
Well, this is what happens when one (Ok, I) become frustrated with the ad-hominem attacks against so many good people both on this site, and otherwise supportive of conservatism and the rise of a conservative Republican Party. We are all decent, America-loving conservatives who are driven to strive for what is best for returning this country to its pride.
Please Freepers, make your best case, and trust that whoever eventually runs against the Demobeast will, with God's light, be the right person for the job.
Let the flame-war begin, I have donned my suit! And God bless.
It’s the primaries. People have chosen their candidate and are fighting for them. I don’t mind it if it’s a regular. Think though there are new members / astro turfers / paid posters muddying up the threads on ANY candidate.
Your summary is a good one though.
Remember BobJ, Asmodeus, Johngalt?
Guiliani for Pres?
Just asking.
Bump!
Consider the primary demographic of FR: senior citizens. Their longevity to 2020 and 2024 is in doubt. 2016 is their last shot. Elderly age regression is in full force.
Well put post.
Cause most FReepers are old angry voters and are sick of government lol.
Every Presidential primary gets sort of rough on FR. This one is on up there, but there have been worse. For instance, Giuliani, that was wild. FR as a group was also pretty firmly against both McCain and Romney until they were nominated, and many couldn’t let go of their opposition even after nomination. They opused out, got the zot or fell silent. This is not a new thing, the FR where I lurked for years could be a pretty harsh place. So, as far as Trump vs. Cruz, this too shall pass.
Because it makes a difference. Levin, Limbaugh, Hannity, Savage et al use Free Republic for the pre show prep. They value our opinions. For example Rush “stack” is nothing but him printing off stuff form FR. We are being heard.
I hope (can I dare say I am, er, optimistic?) that it comes to an end, but on the other hand there are tomfools and lurkers all over the place. That alone guarantees it won’t. We regulars, at best, can start refusing to take the bait.
I try to be Fox-y, that is, fair and balanced. I think I know what the dangers are for America, and they aren’t even in the political sphere, but the spiritual one.
However, even if Billy Graham became president, this wouldn’t do a thing about the situation. How could it? The government is a Caesar thing; the church is a believer thing; never did God ask them to mix except in the entity He called Israel.
I could see the possibility of Cruz making it, but it doesn’t look like he is pursuing the grace of God, which probably leaves it to Trump, who seems more of a Balaam’s Donkey sort of figure than anything else. He’s here mainly to tell off the liars and otherwise be a pretty fair Caesar, friendly to Christians.
Real salvation for America will come, if it does, in the form of a revival of its collective church, the body of all believers. It needs to get the point that Caesar isn’t its agent but God is. This will possibly appear as an unusual answer to things like the prayer-in-schools issue, that faith will come in through the kids and Caesar, while not formally leading it, will speak well of it.
BS. I ain’t elderly.
This was happening back in 2007 when I joined the forum. Don’t pretend this is new. Frankly, this is the first time I’m supporting the FR “popular” candidates.
I represhent those remarks.
I understand standing up for your candidate in the primary. And it is certainly a slugfest among the candidates. They know what they are getting into and it’s all part of the process. But getting personal with each other or even in describing the opposition is beneath us.
We each need to make our best case (if so inclined) and let our passion lead without hate.
Being nice is how we got here.
With Trump and Cruz, you are right, FReepers have a surfeit of candidates with a hope to get our free country back.
But, honestly, you can’t add Jeb Bush, Kasich, or Rubio to the mix. They are the typical status quo candidates, GOPe, and up to all three of them have incredible skeletons in their past.
I also do not like the vitriol here lately. Yes, it has happened before, during primary season. And even during general, when half the people have worked themselves into a tizzy and refuse to vote.
FReepers are here because they are passionate about their country. I am going to give them all the benefit of the doubt and say that they are convinced the priority they have set for voting is the right way. Really, it seems there are two main thoughts here.
Vote Trump to hopefully put a stake through the heart of the uniparty and their media lackeys, and try to get our country back from them. Focus on getting a real economy back that favors the USA, focus on getting sovereignty back, and controlling immigration to benefit our country long term.
Or,
Vote Cruz, because we can’t trust anyone who hasn’t proven with all his deeds he is a true conservative like we are.
Secondary thoughts re the two top candidates are eligibility for Cruz, and popularity / ability to win nomination and the presidency.
I wish we didn’t have to insult each other for choosing one priority over the other.
Speak for yourself. I ain’t old. I ain’t really angry. I am sick of government and those who want government to control every aspect of their lives, including those who claim to be “conservative.”
Everybody is mad as hell and frustrated with what is going on. They blow off steam.
well said.
Exactly.
I just want to let you know if you don’t support my guy you’re a commie and you suck and you should be permabanned from this forum!
Like that?
Yeah, it’s getting old.
:)
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