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.

[buccaneer81]

Bite me.

[fastattacksailor]

democRATS trvel in packs---that is one reson for the nick.


Maybe your ought to go over to the DU and see what nasty really is. I have no repect whatsoever for the RATS, so will continue to treat them as I see fit.

[The Coopster]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the site. But the tone has definitely changed.

And I thought rules #1,3,4 & 7 were "no pooftas"?

;-)

[K1avg]

The reaponses here are like the gift that just keeps on giving, apparently. The living proof just keeps pouring in.

[NMC EXP]

Bite me.

Like I said before - you need to grow up.

[Jorge]

Well, you've shown your true colors. A muslim lover. How nice. Remember 9/11? NO? Get lost troll. You don't belong here.

Guess you don't think Bush belongs in the White House either.
He certainly doesn't share your opinion that Muslim = Nazi either.

Of course I'm sure Osama and the terrorists would love nothing more than to enlist your help in turning the war on terrorism into a full-fledged religious war.

[K1avg]

Yes, Bob. I'm a liberal in disguise who's posted conservative drivel here for months and JUST now decided to break out my evil plot to distract all of y'all from using the site for what I intended.

Brilliant deduction.

Also, I've saved you the trouble of calling JimRob - we'll see if he has anything to say, or better yet, if he cares.

[K1avg]

Sorry, let me revise: I do not see Yushchenko's promised withdrawal of Ukrainian support OR the fact that George Soros reportedly supports him of the two candidates as a viable reason to support Yanukovich.

[Gabz]

Nice try noobie...........

your attempt at sarcasm falls flat - very flat.

[buccaneer81]

Enlighten me superior (in your own mind) sir.

[K1avg]

Uh, I don't think not agreeing with a comparision of Muslims to Nazis makes me a Muslim-lover and a troll. You folks throw out false extremes like candy.

[The Coopster]

And just what about the original post made him a "punk"?

[stands2reason]

holeinone: Explain this post of yours......

Who do you suppose becomes the Dem capitano after Daschle loses? My money's on Reid, although Dodd and Hildebeest can't be counted out either...

This is just sad...

[harrowup]

"Well, you write like a girl, punk."
Oi! I resemble that remark! ;-)

Point well taken...should have written girly-punk

This prepube sounds like a retread of JosefK.

[K1avg]

That's amazing since never once did I mention anything about John McCain. Hell, never once did I try to start a debate about US politics.

[K1avg]

Go back to DU.

Abso-freaking-lutely brilliant retort. You should be given a Medal of Honor for that one...

[NeoCaveman]

No real dog in this fight, but Klavg is right. I came across FR during the election of 2000, and have been here ever since. There's a lot more infighting/plain rudeness here than there ever used to be.

Bullclinton! This place used to be way more raucus befor more than a few people got their own selves zotted.

[K1avg]

Well, you write like a girl, punk.

You're oh-for-2.

[buccaneer81]

Uh, I don't think not agreeing with a comparision of Muslims to Nazis makes me a Muslim-lover and a troll

Indeed. You need to se the enemy for what he is.

[BobL]

No - I never called you any names, and I don't know or care if you're liberal.

My only point was that enough postings like yours can pretty much crash this site.

Also, I didn't call JimRob, but someone else later did - and no, he doesn't seem to mind this thread.