Posted on 12/14/2013 10:33:19 AM PST by The Bat Ladys Husband
First of all, let me say that I have been a lurker on FR since 2000. My wife (The Bat Lady) has been registered and a poster since the same time. I generally use FR as a news source and in years past as an info source for FR organized protests/demonstrations. I don’t generally comment on articles because I mostly agree and don’t need to preach to the choir. However one article fired me up and I finally register in August 2013.
That being said, I recently commented on an article regarding Steve Stockman running against John Cornyn. Knowing a lot about Texas politics I said Stockman was not a viable candidate. OMG! You would have thought I said I pissed on Reagan’s grave. I was called a troll, a Cornyn plant, a GOP-e (if my friends had heard that they would be laughing their asses off.) With all the name-calling I had to look to see if I was on FR or DU. Conservatives pride themselves on the quality of their debate versus liberal knee-jerk name-calling. I guess some here on FR can’t raise themselves above that level.
Sticks and Stones! But more disturbing to me is the rise what I like to call the FR-e. Those are the posters that think that because they have been on FR for a long time that they are some kind of royalty and that newcomer’ comments and insights have no validity if they do not parrot their particular perception. I was called a noob “prattling"
(prat·tle talk idly or childishly: to talk in a silly, idle, or childish way silly, idle, or childish talk)
Just because someone has recently discovered FR or recently joined after lurking they prattle? Oops, my bad, I guess they don’t prattle if they agree with the pompous long-term freeper. Maybe we could cut back on the fundraisers if we encouraged new members rather than drive them off or turned them off with vitriolic discourse and vicious name-calling
(vit·ri·ol·ic adjective - filled with the intention or desire to do evil.)
If you haven’t looked at the Home page (click Free republic at the top left of the browse page) I invite you to look again: Jim Robinson states: “Believing that the best defense is a strong offense, we (myself and those whom I'm trying to attract to FR) support...”
Jim is trying to attract people to FR. How does denigrating a new reader attract them to FR? Being a victim of a verbal knock-out game by a supercilious FR-e certainly does not encourage a "newbie" to participate or even hang around
(su·per·cil·i·ous adjective 1. behaving or looking as though one thinks one is superior to others.)
Certainly all long time members don’t fit this category but those who do know who you are (or maybe you don’t) and so do we.
I’ll admit his language was a bit rough, but calling the practice of nominating solid Tea Partiers as candidates “a mistake” isn’t going to win you a lot of praise around here. Good day.
/johnny
And maybe it’s worth pressing a candidate who might lose this time around, if that candidate really is better. The lost battle may prove great training for a later victorious war. Putting this kind of philosophical view on (and it’s more than spin because it’s based in God’s own modus operandi) could greatly help.
“But if he could, it would be interesting, as that would mean he had signed up before JimRob did.”
Ah, you got that one.
Yep, that was him!
LOL I remember. :)
Yuck! FR used to be proud of being a family friendly forum. Those days are long gone.
I read the thread. Heck, I posted on the thread prior to this poster. He didn't get slammed.
Toughen up cupcake.
/johnny
To TBLH seems some here are the age of high schoolers and act accordingly. But it says a lot that after lurking you still became a member to take part in the discussion. They treat just about everyone with the same disregard but most accept it and carry on. Why? Because they do mean well and are truly descent people. All in the same boat and most times row the boat as a team. BTW, nice to meet you-a newbie myself who lurked for several years. Still getting the feet wet. FR-thanks for being here. Back to Stockman and Cornyn...Know nothing about Stockman, so any attributes you might want to share would be appreciated. Cornyn has been at bat for far too long.
I think you see the point: you’re not immune, yourself, from the misbehavior you’re whining about.
Lightening up and toughening up on your part *might* be the solution you’re looking for. As a bonus, that doesn’t depend upon *anyone* else’s behavior — you’re in total control.
You think this is bad? Go register at Zero Hedge and post something stupid like this.
I’ve been on here since the CLINTON MADNESS and I say everybody just CHILL!!!
Unlike you, I totally reject ‘theology’ and stick with the tell-it-like-it-is attitude of that guy that made a whip and cleared the temple of theologians and their support sellers.
I don’t need anyone’s praise. His language was no better than what Bashir said about Palin. I know the Tea Party can find better candidates than some we have had in the past, in the mold of Ted Cruz, Mike Lee. We live and learn. But I will say that a Tea Party candidate is always better than a GOPe.
Raise the level of debate, refrain from below the belt name-calling, is my main point. I tend to stay out of other state’s primaries, unless it is a high-profile name, like Liz Cheney, then I might say something because I know her history.
You are establishment on FR!
Well, that PROVES you're part of the FR-e!
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