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.
Politically, the Schiavo case will hurt the Republican Party, but the damage will soon fade.
Interesting...
I'm sure I'm not the only one who sees the irony in the juxtaposition of "I'll never forgive them" with the accusation that the 'death cabal' "forsook...Judeo-Christian principles".
What, and start a flame war? I'm not that masochistic.....LOL!
Good Lord.
Yep. Apparently, it is only "due process" if they get the outcome they want.
Glad you're doing okay, Long Cut (#2486). Welcome back.
No you are not.
So many of the threads/posts lately have just left me speechless.
I was going to post on that thread, but decided against it. I've been considering leaving the party myself, but for reasons 180 degrees out.
We all grieve with you.
I also think these people have been deliberately inflamed by the media and others. I'm sorry, but when I see a "spiritual" advisor on TV {as I just did} still creating this rancor with his statements, I am appalled.
You know it. I have never seen anything like this other than my kids throwing a tantrum when they were small I "ruled" against them.
Safe in the loving arms of our Savior, and now forever at peace.
Condolences to all her family and to all who loved her.
sw
If it goes against them (as EVERY ruling has), it's all "They're all EEEVVVILLLL and part of the Death Culture Conspiracy! To the walls!"
Then it's calls for armed intervention. It's frustrating.
Man you guys are all leaving us twisting in the wind on the regular threads!!! Please help! LOL
I agree. Fox News was still repeating canards this morning when they reported TS death.
There were people DEMANDING that Jeb or the President handpick a specifically prolife judge to hear the entire case again. If you want to have the outcome predetermined, why have courts at all?
I lay much of the blame for all the rancor on the media. I'm with you regarding the "spiritual advisors."
Right now, this seems to be the only thread I can post to.
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