Welcome to the greatest forum on the Internet. I look forward to being edified by your posts.
I'm still a bit of a noob here, but I have noticed that several of the threads I've read through go a little bit like this:
PERSON A: I think A,B,C,D,E,F and G and I'm a conservative.
PERSON B: I think A,B,C,D,E,F and I disagree with you on G and I'm also a conservative.
PERSON A: No you're not a conservative because you don't agree with G.
JIM ROBINSON: Yup.
Okay, I've seen the posts by Jim about what is and isn't conservative and it's his site and his perogative to do so. I'm not disputing that.
But I just wondered, before I get banned in my first week for doing something like playing Devil's Advocate in a conversation (which I have done on other forums) I thought it prudent to ask:
What is the tipping point between someone expressing a different or contrary or contraversial YET STILL VALID point of view here, and crossing the line to a point that'll get you banned?
I'm asking because IMO there's a fundamental difference between arguing a point of POLICY (which requires a sense of pragmatism as well as ideology) and arguing over IDEOLOGY (where it's appropriate to maintain an absolute position).
Welcome to the greatest forum on the Internet. I look forward to being edified by your posts.
It might help if you start a thread on Evolution/Creationism.
That always settles everyone down a bit.
Just remember you are a guest on this site. Whenever I read something that upsets me politically here and that I think is unbecoming, however it may be controversial, I step back and say it’s not worth it. There are many times when it is appropriate to espouse a separate view from the pack but remember we are hear to talk conservative principles that the majority here feels is conservative. Your personal opinion of what constitutes conservatism may not jive just keep it genial and friendly lest you come off as a troll.
I think it’s grand to have different views of conservatism but know that we have a very strong christian conservative contingent and that is where much of what is espoused here is coming from.
Posting a “what can I get away with on FR” vanity thread, and then disappearing, is a good way to meet El Zot.
Posting a “what can I get away with on FR” vanity thread, and then disappearing, is a good way to meet El Zot.
Tend to address content of posts, rather than the person posting, if there is disagreement.
Never use KFC and watermelon in the same post.
If you post a LIVE thread of a White House event, just hope the moderator does not pull it, while it is going on.
A liberal is like pornography - - you know it when you see it.
Freepers do express differences, often with gusto, but they are generally at the conservative end of the political spectrum. But if you start defending tax hikes, abortion, Mengelecare, or any other facet of the Democrat agenda to shove Euro-style welfare state socialism down America’s throat then you may as well beat it now. And good riddance.
Since you seem a bit confused, my recommendation to you is to lurk for a couple of years and then decide whether you are worthy to post.
Ignore any advice from so-called FReepers who joined in the 21st century.
By the way which one was the G? or better yet since Conservative values are relatively succint and do hinge one upon the other which one of these did you agree with?
Baby’s aren’t human beings?
God doesn’t exist?
Guns Kill People?
Bigger Government helps people?
More regulation on business and higher taxes help the middle class?
Obama is a reasonable centrist?
Express any opinion that you want to. I generally skip the ones which are BS.
“What is the tipping point between someone expressing a different or contrary or contraversial YET STILL VALID point of view here, and crossing the line to a point that’ll get you banned?”
If you have to ask, you’re probably soon be on thin ice. You’ll find noobs are often viewed suspiciously for a few months due to frequent troll invasions, so take the time to establish your credentials. Until you do tread lightly.
The issue of what constitutes a "true" conservative is an issue quite apart from membership in FR. But new members do often find that playing a Devil's Advocate is often mistaken for trolling - after all, no one plays the Devil's advocate better than the Devil himself. If it crosses the line into simple baiting, no useful purpose other than mindless controversy is served and that will usually wind up in a trap-door out of here; courteous disagreement will not.
For a model of decorum and gracious manners I'd suggest you look into the Religion Forum or the Civil War or Creation/Evolution threads, and do the exact opposite. It isn't perfect guidance but it isn't bad, either.
This won’t end well, I fear.
Do you like ska?
BTW - How do you feel about the UK’s new “Austerity” policy ??? Would be nice for us here at FR to hear a Brit’s opinion ...
THAT would be a GREAT thread to post here, since we MIGHT have to go down the same road if things don’t change soon ...
Since you’re the greenest of boots, you might want to get your sea legs by starting an innocuous thread, oh, something along the lines of:
“Laz needs Viagra twice a day!” and seeing what transpires.
Make sure it’s posted in Breaking.
Hmmm. In a short moment, there’ll be a horde of folks here to give you “advice” and I use that term figuratively, with tongue firmly planted in-cheek.
I’d start by trying to remind folks that you are British. They may tend to forget in the heat of the moment. Aftert all, the word “conservative” and “liberal” mean something completely different in GB than in the USA. Members will be far more understanding if they realize they’re not talking to a fellow “Yank.”
But be subtle about it.
So to that effect, use the aforementioned “noob” as well as the occasional “bloke” or “lad” or “dolly” if and when appropriate. Then a good “Blimey!” or “Bloody Hell!” thrown in for emphasis when you get upset.
Cheers!
England, the land of jug-earred, chinless stomach-eaters.
Still, they’re not French. Good luck.