What has happened to Free Republic

Me | Me

[FF578]

Has anyone noticed that the Liberal influence has spread here into Free Republic. I notice that less and less Conservatives seem to post here, and more and more Libertarians seem to be.

I get a letter from someone named NYpeanut who is mad because I posted a discussion based on the Gender Gap in voting.

I didn't make it up, there is really a huge Gender gap with Female Voters tending toward the more liberal candidate. The discussion went well without name calling, but this person seems to have taken issue to the fact that I pointed out women seem to vote more liberally than men.

All those who are newbies here are considered disruptors, and those who hold a more right-winged view than the average libertarian seem to be kicked out.

Why is this? Is this a Libertarian site now?

I have noticed more and more posters standing up for Abortion, Homosexuality, the Porn Industry and Drugs since I first came to this site back before the 2000 Election.

Are Christian Conservatives(Who make up a large part of the Republican core vote) not allowed here anymore?

Just because one holds to a higher power, and wishes to shape society in accordance with the laws of Almighty God, does not make one a Taliban Milita member.

[Dat]

I would say that the increase in Libertarians is due in part because many have superior debating skills and for the most part they have a very simple philosophy. Unfortuantely that contingent of Libertarians does not make up the majority, and I would say that on average Libertarians tend to look very abrasive and dogmatic due to the small majority of its members.

The fact that FR attracts people who want ideological purity also contributes to the rise of libertarianism. Unfortunately or fortunately, conservatism is the most prominant political philosophy in America, and that means it deals with the real world which is imperfect and doesn't fit so neatly into everyones's paradigms. It tends to mean that mistakes are made and half measures are taken. Since Libertarianism has never been effectively implemented as a viable political philosophy on a national scale, it has not had the opportunity to disappoint its adherants.

[MAWG]

Hey, you mean my " Scud Missle of Love?" That's my money maker!

[Gracey]

Sooo true. Labels don't mean much. Now ask a person about his political philosophy and you might learn something.

I have friends & relatives who are born again Christian - Democrats - one is a real leftist (husband prof at USC); and some friends who are Very PRO LIFE Libertarian. We don't do well putting people in little boxes.

[Savage Beast]

"LOOSE THE MODERATORS!!!"

I second that motion! The freer the discourse the better.

[Aedammair]

Yes, arbiter because you don't know what the intent of my post was. You asserted that my post was unpersuasive; I never asserted my goal was to persuade; and to the best of my knowledge persuasion, while perhaps your ultimate motive for posting, is not necessarily mine.

And why are you striking up this dialogue with me anyway? If my post fell short of what you consider to be persuasive dialogue, or a generally adequate post, I'm willing to concede that is your opinion of my post. So what? I don't consider you a guide or requisite maker of any sort. You are a fellow poster; no more; no less. Now you're just going to have to move on. Like I said before I will leave it to you to persuade. You seem capable of that and much, much more.

[Brian Allen]

..... hope you're also "pro-choice" ..... let every one make his own "choice" .....

Beginning, of course, with the unborn baby?

Does he get a choice?

Or are the defenseless unborn rated neither an advocate -- Hank, for example -- nor a crack at Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness with you Anti-Life folks?

[OWK]

I would say that on average Libertarians tend to look very abrasive and dogmatic due to the small majority of its members.

Is it me, or is there something not quite right about this sentence?

[glock rocks]

[Sir Gawain]

Me.

Yeah, but you were probably posting naked women or something.

[Gracey]

Anti-Life folks?

Is it possible to have a dialogue without using EXTREMES? Personally I see most of life and answers as having "buts" attached. I'd think you'd know better than to say folk on FR are Anti-Life!!!! Get serious.

[sonjay]

I'd estimate that the average libertarian is approximately 75% "conservative" 25% "liberal."

Actually, libertarians are 100% Constitutional. Since conservatives tend to be more in line with the Constitution than liberals, libertarians do agree with conservatives on many things. Where conservatives depart from the Constitution, libertarians disagree with them, and get called "liberal."

[sonjay]

If your not breaking the law the Jackbooted thugs will leave you alone.

Unfortunately, that's not true. The jackbooted thugs have killed quite a few totally innocent people in no-knock SWAT team raids at the wrong address -- people who were not breaking the law and who were sleeping peacefully in their beds.

[Savage Beast]

"If people came her to say 'me too' all day long, the interest would wane quite quickly."

That's one thing wrong with CNNABCCBSNBCNYTimesWashPostLATimesTimeMag. And it is soooooooooo borriinnnggzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.....

[Gracey]

,,killed quite a few totally innocent people in no-knock SWAT team raids at the wrong address -- people who were not breaking the law and who were sleeping peacefully in their beds.

Perhaps a few times but I would not say "quite a few." Life is NOT perfect and without being in the circumstance it's difficult to pass judgment. No society is PERFECT, so our law enforcement falls short occasionally. Do you know of a better system we could model after? Don't take me wrong, for we're basically on the same side "politically" speaking.

[Dat]

I'm not the best of writers.

What I mean is that a good portion (45% - 55%) of Libertarians give me an overall negative impression. 20% - 30% give me a good impression and the rest I'm neutral to. Even though I'm a conservative I would say I only admire 10% - 15% of conservatives on this board based on the way they express themselves and the way they act. My message is meant to convey that that slim majority of libertarians has a disproportionate affect on how I (and I assume others) see libertarians as a whole.

[TopQuark]

****You whiners make me sick.**** I couldn't make it to the end of the thread. YOU are the problem on FR. Name calling is always an immature and pointless response ... no matter what the subject. All you had to do was say, "I think your complaints are baseless and without merit", and many would have listened and perhaps agreed with you. But instead you stoop to slander and make the original poster's point.

Well said, mercy. BTTT

[Savage Beast]

And then shoot it with a silver bullet.

[MAWG]

ALSO: If he does not advocate the use of drugs then why did he twice mention an authoritative source, the BIBLE, that indicated drugs were natural and placed on this earth for us? That's not advocacy? If you are truly against the use of drugs then why would you EVER quote the BIBLE saying they, drugs, are "natural" meaning O.K..

[OWK]

Beginning, of course, with the unborn baby?

I happen to be a libertarian, and I stand firm in support of the right of unborn children to live. I came to this conclusion by recognizing that at some point in the womb, the growing child becomes a human being. I am technologically unable to determine precisely when this occurrs. Is it after the first cell division? No, I don't think so. Is it after the first month? Maybe.

I just don't know.

So being unable to determine precisely when this occurrs, and knowing that it varies from preganancy to pregnancy... I must err on the side of caution and adopt a pro-life position.

Nearly half of all libertarians are pro-life. Those who I've spoken with who are not, disagree not on the principle (protection of life).... but on the facts... (whether or not the developing child becomes a human life, or more precisely when)

As a libertarian, I can understand the debate over facts, even as I maintain my own opinion regarding them. I could not understand an argument over the principle.

[He Rides A White Horse]

Then burn it.