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A Comment on the Atmosphere of FR
A concerned FReeper | December 30, 2004 | K1avg

Posted on 12/30/2004 12:26:25 PM PST by 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.


TOPICS: Free Republic Policy/Q&A
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To: budwiesest
Our path lies directly ahead, into the wind, toward our founder's ideal (constitution and bill of rights).

Not a plausible course ( directly into the wind, sails flapping, stalled, dead in the water) our 'ship' must tack from time to time. These political winds, the finger in the air, etc. guide us on our journey. Since FDR, she's been on a port tack (and possibly before) and during this adminisitration (BushII) attempts to bring her around have been made.

Whether we'll be able to bring her around to a starboard tack in an effort to reach the mark remains uncertain. What is certain is: that all on-board understand that we've been off-course too long and a correction is of utmost importance. Otherwise, we crash this vessle on the rocks.

Most discourse between the left and right is mere sail-trimming. More important is the destination one is trimming the sails to arrive at. Yes, we'll have to veer left sometimes, and veer right to correct another time, but we must not lose sight of our goal.

As such, I'd rather consider democrats as shipmates, but hold them in contempt when their failure to sense our vessel's fate places the lives of everyone on board at risk by replacing our constitution and bill of rights with their utopian, egalitarian, ideals. Not to mention outright hatred of America which amounts to nothing less than poking holes in the hull, for which there are Man Over Board procedures. As Captain of such a ship, I might take my sweet-ass time trying to locate and implement them.

This analogy could go on and on. It could cover things like mutinies and third parties. It could expose bad food on-board and other mistreatments, but it won't. It won't because our destination is of greatest importance.

SS America is big on displacement, has plenty of guns, and will be noticed where-ever she sails. The last thing we need is to impress upon spectators that we haven't a clue as to the workings of such a great sailing ship.

681 posted on 12/30/2004 11:46:48 PM PST by budwiesest
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To: nopardons

Stab the beast again! It just won't die!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! (I'll be working tomorrow night.)


682 posted on 12/30/2004 11:59:49 PM PST by shibumi (A horse is a horse, of course, of course, and no one can talk to a horse, of course...)
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To: shibumi
Die,die,die,damned thread,already !

There,I hope that helps. LOL

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

P.S. Sorry you have to work. :-(

683 posted on 12/31/2004 12:07:48 AM PST by nopardons
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To: Churchillspirit
Help someone! it's driving me nuts trying to remember the name.

Ash?

684 posted on 12/31/2004 1:45:32 AM PST by Fiddlstix (This Tagline for sale. (Presented by TagLines R US))
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To: lavrenti
To: K1avg
You typed the word "nuance".

Now let us go to the bar and order a shot...


That wouldn't be legal. At least not until approximately late summer of 2006.

Happy to help.
685 posted on 12/31/2004 2:16:29 AM PST by Mad Mammoth
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To: The Coopster
...It HAS been rectified; you are just a bigger "sanctimonious punk" than the boy you're railing against. You'll get no apology from me...You'll get no apology from me

I wasn't asking you for an apology, dipwad.

And next time, maybe wait a little longer until you are sure the person you're trying to get the last word in on is actually gone, genius.

I can see now that even if you had read the entire thread before you made your intemperate demand you would have missed the point. Are you dyslexic, dumb as a brick or just stubborn to the point of boredom?

Now, stay and relish the freedom of defeat.

686 posted on 12/31/2004 4:14:47 AM PST by harrowup (Just naturally perfect and humble of course)
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To: King Prout
An interesting post until it reached the final paragraph, that you had forgotten the point you wanted to make. At that point your post became delicious. To your question there is an answer. But I don't recall what it is.

Billybob
687 posted on 12/31/2004 5:55:10 AM PST by Congressman Billybob (Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.)
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To: King Prout

Great story, King! In the Great Scheme of Things, I think this whole dumb thread existed so you could post that story :-).


688 posted on 12/31/2004 5:58:00 AM PST by Tax-chick (To turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just.)
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To: stands2reason; Conspiracy Guy
Wow! Look at these Keywords!! :^O


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689 posted on 12/31/2004 6:18:17 AM PST by MeekOneGOP (There is only one GOOD 'RAT: one that has been voted OUT of POWER !! Straight ticket GOP!)
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To: Racehorse

Unless there's a lot of sympathetic lurkers, it does not look like a winning situation

Herein lies the problem of the lynch mob. No one, understandably, wants to be next in line for a lynching.

It's nice to see that the mob finally dispersed.

One more point on the psychological aspect: Did you ever see the move called "The Accused" with Jodie Foster? There were just a few people egging on the rape and would be disappointed when the melee ended. I've seen that mindset here, as well.


690 posted on 12/31/2004 6:33:03 AM PST by tuffydoodle
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To: K1avg

The left is always a danger but complacency on behalf of the right is a bigger threat.


691 posted on 12/31/2004 6:46:46 AM PST by Conspiracy Guy (Pray for the millions of lives disrupted by tsunami.)
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To: MeekOneGOP

I added one


692 posted on 12/31/2004 6:47:31 AM PST by Conspiracy Guy (Pray for the millions of lives disrupted by tsunami.)
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To: cyborg
Peacenik

Happy New Year's !! Well, in 14 hours and change! :^D


693 posted on 12/31/2004 7:41:07 AM PST by MeekOneGOP (There is only one GOOD 'RAT: one that has been voted OUT of POWER !! Straight ticket GOP!)
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To: King Prout
hahahaaa!

I believe I had a point towards which I was driving, but I have misplaced it.
Do any of you know what it might have been?

I haven't a clue!


Have a cup while you Freep !

694 posted on 12/31/2004 8:24:25 AM PST by MeekOneGOP (There is only one GOOD 'RAT: one that has been voted OUT of POWER !! Straight ticket GOP!)
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To: King Prout

The Hinkleys?


695 posted on 12/31/2004 9:11:07 AM PST by A CA Guy (God Bless America, God bless and keep safe our fighting men and women.)
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To: frog_jerk_2004

You meant the stink of Clinton, didn't you?


696 posted on 12/31/2004 9:22:44 AM PST by beckysueb (God bless America and President Bush.)
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To: beckysueb

Sting of Klinton, Stink of Clinton, Stink of Glinton, Gink of Clinton, what's the difference????


697 posted on 12/31/2004 9:30:55 AM PST by frog_jerk_2004
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To: MeekOneGOP
GAAAAA Is this thing still going?

LOL Some of those are keywords for the ages!

698 posted on 12/31/2004 9:33:41 AM PST by OSHA (The only thing better than ZOTTING trolls is WHINER whompin!)
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To: tuffydoodle
It's nice to see that the mob finally dispersed.

Darkness approaches ;-) Along with New Year's libations flowing freely!

699 posted on 12/31/2004 9:50:31 AM PST by buccaneer81 (Rick Nash will score 50 goals this season ( if there is a season)
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To: Conspiracy Guy
Sand? LOL!

700 posted on 12/31/2004 10:15:19 AM PST by MeekOneGOP (There is only one GOOD 'RAT: one that has been voted OUT of POWER !! Straight ticket GOP!)
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