Our Republic and Our Free Republic

9-6-02 | Joe Phillips

[BADJOE]

History teaches some very good lessons. They are hard to learn but our forefathers did a great job.

From the beginning of time man has overthrown one form of centralized government only to re-establish another one in its place. Our forefathers understood this far better than anyone ever had. They said governments are the eternal enemy of free men. They said that in order for man to remain free it would take a bloody revolution every other generation, unless you bound down (bastard) government with the chains of the constitution.

On another site this week a poster asked if anyone else hated government as much as he did. I replied to him

"Hell !! I thought you were not a good American if you didn't love our country and hate our government.

At least that is how I have always felt about it"

I think our forefathers had the same attitude that I have now. And I think it is inherent in the average Americans attitude to distrust and have disdain for any government, including ours. One of the hardest conclusions I had to arrive at as a young man, after having been a product of the public school system, was that our government was not on our side. As James Forrestahl, former secretary of the Navy, who suffered a mysterious death, once said about our State Department's foreign policy, " Stupidity is never a mark of consistancy. If they were merely stupid, they would occasionally make a mistake in our favor".

Newt Gringrich put it in a humourous manner when talking about the attitude of Europeans. He related the following story. If you go to Europe and drive on the Autobahn, you feel pretty good cruising down the highway at 100 mph when some some German passes you doing 140 mph. Now he said if the Bundestag passed the 55mph speed limit law, every German would dutifully obey that law, untill the next election. They would vote the 55 mph crowd out of office and the no speed limit crowd in. In America Newt said "A speed limit sign is a benchmark of opportunity.

It is obvious that Yankees and Euros have entirely different attitudes about government's edicts. There are darn few Americans who do not break the speed limit laws everyday.

Now we come to the Free Republic. Once a free wheeling, joyful site for news and discussion of politics, economics, philosophy, ethics and morals. I could not understand the transformation that has taken place in the last six months. Camaraderie, the sense of family, and cooperation seems to have disappeared. Are the Freepers exhibiting the same disdain for the new FR as Americans have for our government?

[AAABEST]

This thread is now nearing 1000 posts, I thought you seemed like a guy that might have an interest in liquid/gas fittings.

Check this baby out:

AF - Flanged (2" to 120") Flanged model used on air, gas and liquid. Pressure and temperature depend on flange ratings, ANSI B 16.5 standards

Standard Components:
• T-Type head, 3 1 6-SS 1/4" or 112" FNPT connection
• 150 lb. 31 6-SS sensor flange
• CS gasket with SS spiral wound ring
• CS mounting flange, 150 lb. ASTM Al 05 with nuts and bolts
• CS 3000 lb. weld fitting - ASTMI All 05
• 316-SS "Ellipse"" sensor
• Instrument valves (2 per sensor) - 112", CS
• 316-SS ID tag with wire

Options:
• Double support, CS or 316-SS
• Spiral wound gasket, 316-SS
• 300 lb., 600 lb., and higher flange rating, CS or 31 6-SS ANSI B 16.5
• Temperature port with RTD output
• Static pressure port with SS plug

[Howlin]

What a shameless post for a bump!

[AAABEST]

What a shameless post for a bump!

I dunno, I thought the steam fitting aspect of the debate was very important this discussion, although I no longer know what the hell we're discussing anymore.

In any case on balance we should bring all sides in. Sorry if the liquid and gas valve aspect is uncomfortable for you, I felt it needed to be given the wieght it deserves.

[Howlin]

How dare you. You know that I am anti-flange!

[Chad Fairbanks]

TOP TEN REASONS I LOVE FR

9. People pray for me sometimes (I need all the help I can get)

8. "Caption This" posts

7. Great people who can actually converse intelligently

6. Great people who can actually think for themselves

5. It cost less than a few newspaper subscriptions

4. and I don't have to recycle it...

3. Leftist Scum are in the minority

2. News Reports that don't get the major media's attention (or that they choose to ignore because it doesn't fit the agenda)

1. Organized Grassroots Activism

0. Bush Babes

[AAABEST]

How dare you. You know that I am anti-flange!

I knew you anti-flangers would be all over me as you're very predictable. I can't speak for others, but I've always felt very strongly about flanges on gas valves, even more strongly when it comes to liquid valves.

Lately I've been staying away from the flange argument, too divisive and unprodutive.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

1. Crazed internet stalkers will post stuff about me, complete with name.......

Well, in my experience, they rarely get anything right anyway. It's fun watching them try though.

[Chad Fairbanks]

True... sorta like the little script kiddy haxors... LOL...

[ArneFufkin]

This is the 21st century, AAA ... hello! You've got to throw some animatied GIFs into the media mix to keep the Gen X kids interested around here. Can't the flanged fittings dance, or copulate, or something? Sheeyat, it's not even in color.

[Howlin]

Well, just so you'll know, and I'll know that you know, we all feel the same way about the New World Plumbingites!

[mountainfolk]

This is a great idea. A contest that will be useful to Mr. Robinson for learning about his posters. I am entering all three catagories. First, #1 thru 9-- Trying to get a clue as to why this is different from the last rant that I did not fully grasp the dire importance or significance of. Also enjoying some of the poster repartee'----
and #10 tying up the phone line to frustrate telemarketers.

Second, still a happy camper. Vexation is setting in tho.

Three, not scary, just plain pitiful.

[Kevin Curry]

"Hell !! I thought you were not a good American if you didn't love our country and hate our government.

Infantile and childish.

Ours is a participatory government. We make it what it is by our action and inaction. I would venture to guess that very few FReeper anti-government bitch queens are prohibited from participating in government. Instead of getting involved they whine and gripe about how much they hate it.

Hate it? You are it. Go punch yourself in the face if you detest it.

I am wary of government. I detest many things done in the name of government. But when I've been dissatisfied I've gotten involved and helped to change things. Have you? Stop looking for someone else to change it. Take responsibility.

There are anti-FReeper sites stuffed to the gills with with snivelling anti-FReeper anti-government world champion whiners. Are these croak-toadies positive about anything? Oh, yeah, they're pro-dope. They wear their anti-government sour milk bib stains like medals of honor. It is no wonder that they detest FR and Jim Robinson too. They detest anyone who tries to maintain some direction and sense of order.

They hated Bill Clinton and we thought it was because of they gross way he abused his position and sullied the Oval Office. Now they hate George W. Bush for a myraid of specious reasons. The common denominator? They just plain hate authority and anyone who wields it. They are brats, post-adolescent howler monkeys flitting from branch to branch defecating on anyone--such as President Bush--who is actively trying to make a difference.

[Cultural Jihad]

This ongoing campaign to label some Adimistrative Moderators, and FR in general, as GOP shills and operatives is a bald face lie.

Moving from being labeled as 'Gestapo Twins' to 'GOP Shills' is a marked improvement all around.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Funny, aren't they? They know more about me than I know about me. :)

[Kevin Curry]

Obviously, my foregoing post was pinged to you FYI only. It was not meant to reflect on your attitudes.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Moving from being labeled as 'Gestapo Twins' to 'GOP Shills' is a marked improvement all around.

LOL! : )

[Chad Fairbanks]

I had one once that told me on a forum to "get ready to be destroyed..." and was threatening to crash my PC by sending me a fax (hence the "haxor" comment)...

The best part was that I don't HAVE a fax machine, nor do I accept faxes on my pc... had a lot of fun with that one, I did... ;0)

[tomkat]

here's an idea:

let's just everyone STOP posting on this thread NOW !

strangle it before it reaches a thousand !

we can do it !
for party !
for unity !
for giggles !

[/holding breath]

[carenot]

I will bump to that!

Everone quit posting NOW!

[Chad Fairbanks]

Ok... I stopped...