My impression of a certain cranky, insult-flinging individual on this thread is pretty well established. Nice of you, bud, to urge him to apologize - I appreciate that. He has refused, of course, but I'm sure that surprises you about as much as it surprises me.
Why people need to treat each other so poorly on FreeRepublic is a mystery to me. This guy would have a perpetual black eye if he talked to people this way in real life. I'll bet his mouth isn't nearly as bold as his keyboard.
In the beginning, God said
And it was.
Now, since we are made in His Image, albeit fallen and therefore dimmed, we nevertheless retain some of that creative power within us to do good.
The things that come out of our mouth have the ability to build up that which is broken down. If someone we meet has been through the valley of the shadow, we can, if we choose to do so, bring them hope...we can remind them of their worth and value as human beings. We can point out the good things about them, and help them regain sight of hope.
Words of kindness from a Pastor, a teacher, a parent, a neighbor might be the fuel that powers an individual to a life of productive service to their nation and their world.
Of course the flip side is that we also have a frightful power to destroy with the words of our mouth.
If a child accidently spills their soda pop on the couch in the living room, we can snap and tell them they are worthless...perhaps inflicting a wound which they will carry til the day they die.
Our spouse might never forget the harsh words spoken in the heat of an argument...and plant the evil seed that results years later in a bitter divorce that destroys everything good that was ever developed from the union.
I say all of this because there have been seeds of bitterness sown here of late; in this place we love and value.
A spirit of division and malice has taken root.
It is a spiritual attack on much that is good...threatening to destroy what has in the past, and has the potential in the future, to aid greatly in the restoration of the greatest free republic the earth has ever seen.
I would ask everyone here to stop and take stock. I do not exclude myself from this request.
It is my opinion that the moderators, and Jim, should take a new approach to how they handle the problems we are faced with here:
I believe that every post that is delivered with malice should be history.
I believe that every one of us knows a malicious post when they see it...if some moderators can't figure it out, then I believe Jim should find moderators who do have that much discernment.
Just my opinion.
If, in the heat of battle, I have allowed myself to slip into maliciousness against anyone here, I apologize. I will try to do better.
But realize that I care deeply about conservative principle, about my beliefs, about my country, about my party, and also about the future of Free Republic.
Regards to all,
EV
If I may, you are deserving of an apology and your reply is typical of Freepers that I admire the most. Sincere, honest, well, you know the rest. Thanks.
Were our constitution not under attack by both the right and left at various times we would be living in the utopia envisioned by our founders. When the blueprint for our future is violated, some are more incensed than others.
The printed word (this forum for example) often lacks the tone that might accompany the thought being expressed at the time. I've read responses that I took the wrong way simply due to the words chosen by the person writing. I've learned to chalk it up to each person's style when reading their replys sometimes. I would not want to see tpaine banned for rudeness as he seriously defends the constitution. It has been under attack and continues to be and I'd find it very difficult to abandone those dug into the trenches trying to defend it. I've thickened my skin toward the guys who might one day jump on a grenade on my behalf, 'cause I'll never know who that person might be.