Posted on 03/29/2005 8:58:34 AM PST by Long Cut
We, the Witness Protection Program For Freepers, aka the Wild Turkeys, aka the Coalition of the Sane, have through mutual discussion and rigourous thought, determined that:
1. The discussion threads regarding Terri Schiavo (hereafter referred to as "TS") have become too full of innuendo, rumormongering, hyperbole, hysteria, namecalling, paranoia, and general poor behavior to warrant participation.
2. Said threads have degenerated into "echo chambers", wherein the same, common thoughts are continually posted again and again, and the same old disreputable, unconfirmed and/or false urban myths are propagated.
3. Anyone who joins in said theads with alternative viewpoints to the most extreme posts are routinely driven away with slander, accusations, and vile namecalling.
4. No data or evidence contrary to the "prevailing opinions" are accepted, considered, or discussed; and in fact are rejected outright in most instances.
5. That the continued calls for armed insurrection, military or paramilitary involvement, impeachements of politicians and judges, and death threats are embarassing, stupid, shortsighted, doomed to failure, and contrary to most if not all conservative thought prior to this case, as well as damaging in the extreme to FR and the conservative movement as a whole.
6. That such emotional, hyperbolic, and propaganda-driven hysteria is in fact contrary to all conservatives USED to stand for.
7. That the holding up of swastika and other Nazi imagery towards the police and the Bushes, the use of children as political props, and the disruption of the peace at the Woodside Hospice can only reflect badly on conservatives in general, and should be discouraged.
8. That the pursuit of this issue to the exclusion of all others by the GOP has damaged, perhaps beyond repair, the pursuit of other important issues as well as the reputation of the GOP, FR, and conservatism.
The WPPFF is NOT of one mind as to the case of TS or its correct outcome. In fact, wide disagreement exists within our little group. However, we are united in our wish that reason and sanity be respected in the discussion, as well as the rights of all parties involved or participating. We wish to discuss this as adults and intellectuals, as conservatives and as FRiends, not as children screaming past each other on some playground of hysteria. We wish for facts and evidence to be provided, discussed reasonably, and considered fairly.
We reject all accusations of Naziism, "death cultism", or other slander as methods of debate. We reject the practice of "spamming" multiple threads, of posting unending vanities, and the posting of propaganda and calls for violence. We reject, in fact, all unseemly and childish behavior which has come to characterize this case on FR.
We DO invite others to come and reasonably discuss the issue. We have no problem with FReepers who wish to debate in a rational and fair manner, and with due respect for their fellow FReepers. We have NO problem with those whose views are formed by religion; however we reject "preaching" or "being beaten with a Bible" as legitemite debate tactics. Not all of us are Believers, and such tactics only cheapen the source.
If a FReeper finds this an acceptable meansd to discuss this and other issues, they are welcome to join in and participate. Those who find pleasure in attacks, flame-baiting, slander, stalking, and personal atacks will be ignored, and their egos will go unfed.
We assume this thread to be a zone of sanity in an overheated atmosphere. Thus, a general amnesty is in effect. If posters conduct themselves within the guidlines above, we will be happy to discuss and debate with you. If a poster wishes to apologize for past slips of the tongue, or for possible "over-the-top" statements to another, it will be graciously accepted, and your company welcome.
Please bring a sense of humor; we feel that too many have been taking themselves too seriously lately.
Let the discussion begin!
Signed,
The WPPFF, aka The Wild Turkeys, aka the Coalition of the Sane.
Doesn't Chicken Little live in Pinellas? I thought I heard that is where he retired.
That's already been thoroughly discussed. But thanks anyway.
That is very shocking. I've been following this thread on and off and it seems like the only "safe" place on FR lately.
I care as much about your post as I do about the size of Hillary's girdle or how often she washes Ole Crusty.
Sorry, not in the mood for your inanity right now.
I don't think FR is significant enough in the grand scheme of things for this current insanity and hubbub to cause permanent damage to the conservative movement. There have always been single-issue conservatives. Eventually, even they will be reminded that there's still a world out there and life goes on.
I agree completely.
I'm just glad we haven't all been locked up in a big room together somewhere. I am sure that things would have come to blows, and possibly more.
;;;;shudder;;;;
It is appalling, in my opinion.
IMO, this is the only safe place on FR for the time-being...and even this thread attracts trolls.
Lots of traffic on FR these days....
I hope so.
If nothing else, it's exhausting to maintain that level of emotion for an extended period of time.
I wasn't fighting. You asked questions that I answered.
You then saw fit to launch a personal attack.
That's your call but don't pretend that's what I was engaged in.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1374589/posts
A nice offer to stop the internal bickering...
The Canteen and the Undead Thread are both safe.
LMK if you want a pointer to the UT.
I had actually logged off for a week and when I came back I almost decided to leave again. Then I went to the Smokey Backroom. Glad I did.
I read the Undead Thread most days. It is safe as is the Canteen.
My take. Let's end the rancor as long as you agree with me. Thanks, but no thanks.
I was ready to bail and stick to boring myself to death reading blogs. Thank you, Long Cut for starting this thread.
sw
D'oh!
Yes, I had forgotten that I see you on Undead thread.
Silly me!
It's okay. When there are 15,000 posts is hard to keep up! ; )
There you go again. I didn't say that you were fighting. I said that I wasn't in the mood to fight...... I really never am in that mood. Life is too short.
**************
Let's all settle down .......... and pray for the girl who died in this bizarre and cruel way.
What a civilized society in which we live. Sick!
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