Driftin' along with the tumblin' tumbleweeds . . .
Posted on 04/04/2005 8:07:34 PM PDT by Long Cut
Well, that time has come for me. I’m leaving FR. However, I do not consider this an “opus”, as I am NOT going to use it to rehash old slights or arguments, or to give my personal opinion of what “should be done around here”. As has been so often pointed out, this is Jim Robinson’s site, and he runs it as he sees fit. Rather, all I’m going to do here is give a general reason for my departure, and say a hearty-but-sad “GOODBYE!” to all the folks here who have enriched my life in the past four years.
I am a small-government, national-security and military supporting, pro-gun, economic conservative who also likes to enjoy the life I have to its fullest. I believe that the government does its best work when it restricts itself to the things it is supposed to do vis a vis the Constitution. That is, it should restrict itself at this time to shooting terrorists and delivering the mail, as well as doing its level best to ensure that the rights of one citizen are left untrampled by another. I hold that the government should stay as far as possible from any entanglements with religion, organized or not, save to ensure that ALL are treated fairly by the law. I also hold that the government should NOT be in the business of making laws regarding the personal, private behavior of its free citizens, so long as such behavior harms no other.
In these past months, it has become plain to me that this position is NOT that of a majority of FReepers, nor of the management itself. So, rather than “tilt at windmills”, I shall simply go my own way. I have no comments about this circumstance or its origins; it is simply the way I see things.
Also, I have grown as a person on FR. When I first joined, I’d be right in there flaming with the best of ‘em. As the years have past, I have come to realize the value of simple, civil discourse, for it is in that sort of discourse that a man may actually learn things, both about the topic at hand, and about himself and what being a true gentleman means.
As before, in the past months, the majority seems to prefer it to be otherwise. Again, no comments, just stating what I see.
Before I leave, however, I wish to do two things.
First and foremost, I wish to thank Mr. Robinson for providing this site…despite the necessity of leaving now, I have truly learned a great deal here, too much for words. I was able to “vent my spleen” on issues that mattered to me, talk about mutual interests with like-minded people, and get to know some absolutely terrific folks. Mr. Robinson, you did a good job. Sorry indeed am I that I must part ways. Nonetheless, as one old Sailor to another, “Fair Winds And Following Seas, Shipmate!”
Second, I wish to thank, and bid farewell to, some of the most outstanding people it has ever been my pleasure and honor to know.
- The folks over at the FReeper Canteen, shepherded by 68-69tonkingulfyachtclub. I was drawn to the Canteen almost on my first day here, as there exists there an outpouring of support and affection for this nation’s military (of which I am a part) the likes of which have seldom seen equal. From the first, they took me in as if I were one of their own families, and the regular posters there were with me with prayers and support, as well as joy and salutes, through many dark days indeed, and many bright ones.
I am an agnostic, religiously, but that did not matter to my Canteen Friends…they were there with prayers and, well, love when my wife and I lost our first baby. They shared in the joy we had when we finally had a healthy son. They prayed again, selflessly, for me when I went on deployment. Then, they welcomed me home again with open arms, and more prayers, as I came home to bury my dear mother. In doing this for someone they knew was not religious himself, and in doing it without any hesitation, they showed a non-believer the BEST side of Christianity one could possibly ask for. To the Canteen, including Ms. Behavin, Ms. Poohbear, La diva loca, trussel, Tonk, Spotsy, Bentfeather, KathyinAlaska, and all the rest too numerous to name, I say without any sense of irony at all, “BLESS YOU”.
- The many unbelievably intelligent scientists and science-lovers over on the Crevo and science threads, ably pinged by PatrickHenry. From you ladies and gentlemen of BOTH sides, I have expanded my scientific knowledge and thinking by an order of magnitude. Ichneumon, Vade, Junior, Radio Astronomer, Right wing Professor, Betty Boop, Alamo-Girl, and all the rest of the maniacs over there made it an edifying experience that could never have been acquired in a school.
- The HTT list. I thoroughly enjoyed the times we spent “raisin Hell”. Gabz, Formermilitarychick, exnavychick, and the rest shared many a laugh with this old Heathen.
- Archy, Squantos, Travis McGee, Glock Rocks, Joe Brower, criminall number 18f, and all of the guys and gals on the gun or “Bang List threads. I learned a ton of good gouge from you guys over the years. I’m gonna miss you, but with your advice I shan’t miss much else with a pistol!
- The Republican Party Reptiles. The Big B and company showed quite well that not ALL conservatives are stick in the muds. Many of us actually LIKE looking at pretty women in few clothes. B, I hope the party lasts a bit longer fer y’all.
- The WPPFF. Y’all know who you are, and why. All I can say is, we tried. And we tried long past what any normal person would have, to our credit.
- My individual Friends…DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet, Veronica, peach, the incomparable PukinDog, Wild Turkey, and about a hundred others I could take a couple of days naming. I’ll miss y’all sumpin’ turible.
Anyhoo, this has gotten longer than I ever thought it would. Anyone with me on their ping lists can go ahead and remove my name, if you wish. Those whose wish it is to gloat, say “good riddance”, and other such juvenile nonsense are welcome to begin, thus confirming my reasoning.
‘Bye, all. Godspeed.
Long cut: I am very much in agreement with what you say.
Some freepers like big government, if they are in charge and want it small when democrats are in charge. They hate the national bebt, when democrats are in charge. They like international tribunals, as long as they have immunity. They hate Constitutional assaults, if the democrats are in charge. Etc..etc.. When someone is totally consistent in applying your principals and points out hypocrisy, hypocrites freak out. That is the nature of power. You are not alone, friend. Thank you for having the courage to stick it out for so long and stick to your guns. People like you broaden minds by broadening the debate. I don't know your exact situation here, but there is indeed a lynch mob ready to pounce on anyone not following neo-con orthodoxy. This place will be poorer without you.
It'll settle down again..The Libertarians, Constitutionalists, Federalists,Buchananites, Republicans will still manage to disagree on some matters and agree on others.
Primary season we'll have a few knock down dragouts..and evo threads will keep fighting it out.
I'll miss LC in the Canteen and even with my religion, my Republicanism and his libertarianism..he's managed to stand by me during some heated threads ..I shall always remember as a newbie some things he probably did not realize were so important to me..
So long is not goodbye.
PS: PD I posted a link to Billy Bob's story about you to the jerk..and yes,I was laughing at his post.
You and I don't see eye to eye on 100% on abortion, I think I'll opii out. But we do see eye to eye on a heckuva lot of things, perhaps I'll stay.
Sink and I disagreed on Terri Schiavo and federal intervention, I better go. Nah, we did agree on Trent Lott and we were in a distinct minority, maybe I'll stay.
Jim Robinson was in the Navy, I was in the Army, on third thought I'd better go. But hey, what the hell we both swore the same oath to the same Constitution, maybe I'd better stay.
Howlin and I sometimes disagree, I gotta go. But then again we do agree on a lot of stuff, I think I'll stay.
Deadhead and I agree on everything. What a bore, now I know I gotta go.
never heard of you...whatever.
I'm sorry you allowed the whackjobs to get to you and I hope you will reconsider your decision. I'm sure the announcement of your leaving will bring joy to the whacks. It doesn't bring happiness to the rest of us.
Too many drama queens.
Driftin' along with the tumblin' tumbleweeds . . .
...In doing this for someone they knew was not religious himself, and in doing it without any hesitation, they showed a non-believer the BEST side of Christianity one could possibly ask for.
Most Christians are reasonable tolerant people. Not just the best ones. Most Freepers are reasonable tolerant people. Not just the best ones.
Even though this is a moderated, controlled forum, it's still an open forum. Anybody and any number of people of a certain philosophy can walk in through the front port and say what they want at least for a short period of time. Enough of them come in and then wham-o you get a false image, a false reality of what FreeRepublic is all about.
The waves of spam and propaganda have been passing through FreeRepublic almost since its beginning. So what! It isn't the heart and soul of FreeRepublic. As I said before the majority of Freepers are the best. You've been here four years and you don't understand that?
FWIW...
From somebody whose beliefs are very similar to yours.
Ditto.
please read your mail
"Sorry to see you go LC. I understand your reasons, and they're valid ones. I'm restricting myself to military threads from now on. There's just no reason to venture into anything else these days."
That is unfortunate. Nothing is learned, and no thought is stimulated when everyone has the exact same opinion. One poster said it was sad to see so many "old guard" members leaving. Reminds me of the republican party pushing out traditional conservatives after the neo-con takeover. Sad. Sad.
Without being abrasive, hopefully, I have to say that even well reasoned posts are being met with "Are you stupid?" by those who disagree recently.
The net has always been a rather aggressive forum, but one reason many of us chose FR was because it was at least a little more civil. Of late, that has not been the case.
Sad salute, Long Cut.
We were there a few years ago. Rented a small motorcyle for $5/day and went all over the island. Loved it.
Stop it. I know you don't like me but this isn't the place.
TOGA!! TOGA!!! TOGA!!!!
Exactly!
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