A Comment on the Atmosphere of FR

A concerned FReeper | December 30, 2004 | K1avg

[K1avg]

For the past several months, fate has conspired to keep me away from the computer. I haven't posted nearly as much on FR as I used to. With the holidays, though, I've had an opportunity to catch up a bit.

What I found on my return is a bit disconcerting. While there's always been an element here that refuses to reason and does little more than insult Democrats and RINOs, it seems that this mentality has taken over a large portion of our membership. I've encountered more shrill, radical nonsense in the past couple of days than I had in the months before my absence.

Certainly it's acceptable to gloat a bit after our enormous gains on November 2, but I do believe it's about time to get back to normal business.

Referring to Democrats as “Rats” or some variant thereof may be somewhat amusing, but seeing the reference in nearly every other post really gets annoying at times. Pet names for Democrats and RINOs may be funny the first time, but quickly get old. It's one thing to respect someone, and it's certainly acceptable to not do so for one reason or another, but it's never alright to be downright incivil.

Just the other day, I was in an argument here with some other members who were supporting Yanukovych over Yushchenko because Yush had pledged to remove Ukraine's 1600-some-odd-strong force from Iraq and was *gasp* more liberal than Yanukovych. Seriously, that's absurd. I'd be happy to debate with you here, but anyone can tell you Yushchenko as president will be much better for the Ukrainian people, our interests in Iraq be damned.

But I'm getting away from the subject at hand. These are just a few examples of the devolution of discourse here. While everyone is certainly allowed to have their own opinions, there is a certain level of civility that should be maintained, regardless of the context.

This is the sort of stuff you find at DU, not here. I recognize there's plenty of good, civil users here, and I'm thankful for that. To those guilty, though, it would be nice if you could tone it down a bit.

I love being here. Things like the Undead Thread, Daily Dose, and crushkerry's Lib Pundit tournament, along with the usual daily banter of normal news, makes FR like no other political site on the web. Let's keep it that way. Thanks for your time, and have a lovely day.

[OSHA]

How does it handle?

[Chunga]

Will your yawn be in anticipation of your thoughts, career or sex life?

[KJacob]

Probably all three. But in this case vanities.

[Skooz]

Play nice, or some newb will be forced to write another vanity about incivility.

[Bella_Bru]

What's up with all the sensitive newbies lately?

[dakine]

Good advice...

[Revolting cat!]

"You dirty RAT!"

[Tax-chick]

I'm from all over. "Bless your heart" is one of those all-purpose phrases, like "Whatever."

[Howlin]

I don't remember demanding a thank you......LOL.

[Calusa]

Calusa: Is this a ZoT, YeT?

Preechl: It's starting to smell like one....

I love the smell of dead RATZ in the morning!!!

[buccaneer81]

What's up with all the sensitive newbies lately?

DNC infiltrators on Prozac.

[eureka!]

"Typing "rats" instead of "democrats" saves bandwidth"

That's why I do it. Plus it's quicker to type. Plus I smile, harkening to the big advert controversy in 2000. Plus it sure sums up the current party. From a former 'rat.....

[Howlin]

Isn't THAT the truth.

[DoctorMichael]

A rat by any other name would smell as filthy.

[MaxMax]

What's up with all the sensitive newbies lately?

I've noticed that.. Eventhough I'm a newbie (poster here) myself.

[dawn53]

What's up with all the sensitive newbies lately?

I noticed the same thing. Seems everybody that's got thin skin and thinks we're rude joined in the fall of this year.

[Rockingham]

The recent election season and victory have brought in a wave of new people and a higher level of interest. Consequently, comments tend to be sharper. I have seen this after other successful elections, but be assured, things will settle down soon enough.

[Bella_Bru]

Hmmmm...have you checked in for your hazing yet? ;-)

[jellybean]

But comparing FR to DU is laughable, those DUmmies are all plugged in to the equivalent of the Borg collective with it's hive mind: they believe everything that is handed down to them from the DNC and the rest of the 'Rat leadership without question, while here on FR, there is more than a little healthy cynicism for both 'Rats and Republicans, i.e., this is a website for free thinkers, not for the ignorant fools who believe everything they see on CNN is completely (laugh-chuckle-snort) "objective".

DUmmies following their latest messiah.

[Bella_Bru]

That or they are re-treads.