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.

[Gabz]

You've got to be kidding?

[Happygal]

Have you not, for one instance, considered the fact that most/many of the posts (which you object to) are posted in sarcasm. (You know, the type that sometimes go over peoples heads?)

I'm quite a doyenne of sarcasm. But my brand is distinctly Irish...which often doesn't translate trans-Atlantic.

Klavg, I'm cutting you slack because you are 16 years of age. But, otherwise, I wouldn't.

[airborne]

I still don't see why my age has to play ANY part in this discussion at all...

You are 16 and have been registered for 9 months. While that may seem like a long time to a 16 year old, it doesn't necessarily seem to us old timers that 9 months is long enough to make an informed decision.

BTW, Welcome to FreeRepublic.

[katnip]

Pickles!

[F16Fighter]

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

"Punk" OR sanctimonious pr*ck whose obvious mission with this ludicrous post was to rattle FR's cage.

Do you disagree?

[hole_n_one]

I haven't the slightest compunction in admitting that I have occasionally (infrequently, might I add) violated my own standards as written here. But really, who hasn't? And I don't think I'm nearly as bad as the folks my post is concerned with...

Your position regarding this matter has become quite awkward and uncomfortable, hasn't it?

[Happygal]

``I haven't the slightest compunction in admitting that I have occasionally (infrequently, might I add) violated''

And HEREIN lies the problem, toots. One cannot sit in judgement of others, when one has a blemished (albeit infrequent) record.

Yer on a loser from the get go!

[Racehorse]

What you are seeing here is part of the "mob mentality". The more people that start attacking and tormenting, the more bravery you'll see as the crowd gets bigger and bigger. I've noticed it alot here lately. When you see someone pinging all of their buddies to a thread, it's time to disappear because it's gonna get ugly.

Worth repeating.  So, I did.

Kinda entertaining to watch the frenzy work itself up into such a needless fury.  550 plus messages posted before I get this one typed and online.  Golly. Gosh.

Mobs in their emotions are much like children,
subject to the same tantrums and fits of fury.

Euripides knew what he was talking about way back then.  Klavg, I think he'd disappear from this thread quick like the Energizer Bunny. Unless there's a lot of sympathetic lurkers, it does not look like a winning situation. Maybe you can wear these ponies down to a trot through sheer tenacity or maybe sleep deprivation. :)

[hole_n_one]

It's a dirty job, but someone's gotta do it!

[Brad’s Gramma]

LOL!!!

And a swell job you're doing, all around, on FR!!

[K1avg]

Have you not, for one instance, considered the fact that most/many of the posts (which you object to) are posted in sarcasm.

Some of them maybe, but not many or most, at least not to my knowledge.

That's one of the largest problems with communicating on the Internet. One cannot see the body language or hear the tone or inflection of voice necessary to detect sarcasm, and so most of the more subtle stuff is lost in translation. I try to make my sarcasm so blatant that folks can see it even in blank, bland typeface.

I'm quite a doyenne of sarcasm. But my brand is distinctly Irish...which often doesn't translate trans-Atlantic.

Quite understandable. Most folks I know appreciate little of the British humor I do. I do apologize if any of your posts were in jest and I responded seriously - it's rather hard to keep track...

Klavg, I'm cutting you slack because you are 16 years of age.

Please don't.

[King Prout]

SUMMARY JUDGEMENT:

I HAVE SEEN CREVO THREADS WHICH WERE CONDUCTED WITH GREATER CIVILITY.

I see no saints in the first 300 responses, nor in the last 40. IMO, Everyone here would do well to step back, drop it, let it die.

(for what it is worth)

[cyborg]

I agree.

[The Coopster]

I do.

My original question was posed before I had read the entire thread.

And while he came across just like his age (sorry K1, but it's relevant here, my question was posed before I saw what brought it on. If you continue on (or back, I don't know which post you culled this from), you'll see that that point has been rectified.

[lavrenti]

Just a set of personal observations and assumptions settling on a metaphor.

I remember when I was sixteen. You make me smile.

[King Prout]

ok, just so long as these "pickles" to which you refer are not pickled brussels sprouts.

[K1avg]

No, actually the part about not having the slightest compunction was totally serious.

I have posted on slight occasion some of the crap that I'm railing against here, but I certainly haven't done it with the tenacity or frequency of those I am disapproving of.

Alright, maybe a little awkward. Thanks for digging that up, though, I'm learning how to nuance like a real politician now! <-- sarcasm, that last sentence was. The first two were not.

[The Coopster]

The King has spoken!

Good night!

(And good luck K1)

[lavrenti]

For twenty bucks and my 1991 Frank Viola card, will you at least put my name in for Beatification?

[harrowup]

It's a dirty job, but someone's gotta do it!

Thanks for all you do.

Me?

I'm gonna get some cherry pie and ice cream and call it a night.