Posted on 03/14/2012 8:02:59 AM PDT by JoeProBono
I’ve seen examples of what you are saying. Such as blacks calling each other the N word. But because that exists why do you try to paint me into corner by bringing that up? There are racists of all ethnicity. And?
I simply noted that many replies here seem racist. Before ppl are willing to listen to what you have to say, they usually want to know you care about them. That is human nature. Are politics an exception to that? I think not. The right should figure out a way to appeal to more ppl. That is self evident. That is my point.
Our country is unique among nations. Its not where you or your ancestors are from that makes you an American. Its the ideals that founded this country. They remain so appealing that tens of millions of ppl across the globe would immigrate here if we let them. Of course we do let immigrants in, but just a fraction of how many want to come here. Since these ideals are so appealing, we have a good chance to bring minorities to the conservative wing. But it will be harder to convince such a person if they feel disliked for where they come from.
Oh by the way, one thing about racism that DOES bother me alot. I live in Illinois, the land of Lincoln: It’s our state motto. Once in awhile I’ll see a local guy, not a southerner, with a confederate flag decal on his pickup truck. Of course living in Illinois, I get to see Jesse Jackson at work a little more often than you do. That guy is annoying ofc as well. I really wish both whites and blacks would let the past stay in the past.
You are implying that Free Republic is racist because presumably a Freeper agreed with an assessment made by one of the subjects of this article, an assessment made by a black man against a black woman.
I asked you those questions to determine the parameters of freedom of speech you observe.
If you say that because of the pigmentation in the skin, that a person can make comments to or about someone else, but someone else with a different pigmentation color or level cannot, that would indicate you are an adherent to speech codes and political correctness, neither philosophy of which is welcome here on Free Republic.
I might not say those things, calling her ghetto trash or whatever the guy called her, simply because it is not in my nature to do so.
That is an issue of civility for me, not freedom of speech.
That is why I asked you those questions.
"...Before ppl are willing to listen to what you have to say, they usually want to know you care about them..."I am willing to listen to people all day, every day without knowing whether or not they care about me. It isn't important, particularly to a conservative. What is important is the content of the discourse. Emotion is secondary to the facts, or even the discussion. It doesn't mean emotion doesn't play a factor, because it does, it just means we don't discuss these issues with Freepers because we like them or they like us. We discuss with each other to find the truth.
"...The right should figure out a way to appeal to more ppl. That is self evident. That is my point..." This statement was disturbing to me. First, conservatives don't WANT to figure out a way to "appeal to more ppl", because being popular isn't the objective. The point is that we need to define conservatism and frame it so people understand what it is and determine for themselves whether they are or are not conservative, or they agree or disagree with certain conservative points. And secondly, it isn't, as you say, "self evident". The nature of man and his rights, as based in the philosophy of natural law as outlined by John Locke, and used in the Declaration of Independence, IS "self evident". That the "right should figure out a way to appeal to more ppl" is NOT.
You said: "...Since these ideals are so appealing, we have a good chance to bring minorities to the conservative wing. But it will be harder to convince such a person if they feel disliked for where they come from..." Conservative ideals are attractive to people who base their ideas and principles on logic and NOT emotion, whether the principle is compatible with the greatest freedom, NOT if the person is liked or disliked because of where they came from. I don't give a rat's patootie about WHERE someone comes from, and neither do conservatives. If someone believes in the principles outlined in the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution, they are in the club. And that club (conservatism) is open to everyone, regardless of race, religion, skin pigmentation, gender or place of birth. It is THE MOST welcoming political philosophy on earth, but does not suffer liberalism in any form.
I have mostly lurked on FR for 10+ years and don’t post that often. So you don’t know who I am. For your first reply, people can say what they want to say under certain circumstances. If they are at work, or on a website like this which they do not own, they do not. If they are at home or in a place where somebody else does not have authority then go at it. And I was not implying that FR is racist. However, I was implying it was tolerant of such behavior. Again, I hope I am wrong and that I was being over sensitive to some of the replies. Like you said, you would not make such comments because they are in bad taste. That is sound advice for all imo. In real life I’m a blunt man who speaks out loud too often. There is little PC about me. I could benefit myself from following your advice above.
As for your second post, you scold me good. LOL. One, for trying to appeal to emotion. If replies appear to be racist, how likely is it that a minority will feel at home on this site? I haven’t read the mission statement of FR, if it exists at all. But I have always assumed it exists in part to help change minds.
I’m sorry you think its disturbing I would want to see the right appeal to more people. Winning elections is part of the process to get a conservative agenda enacted. Thus appealing to more ppl is self evident. If you have a better idea of how to enact conservatism without appealing to more people, I’d love to hear it.
Finally you said you don’t care where ppl come from. So you are 1) agreeing with my point that this country is founded on an ideal. And 2) That is the most non-racist thing you could say. That would appeal to minorities who might be lurking on this site, yet mindful of all the propaganda against the right. Ghetto this and double bagger that, in this post is unfortunately not appealing.
It is found at the top of the main forum screen every time you login.
People do not come to Free Republic to be "liked". They come to Free Republic because it is someplace you can speak your mind and voice an opinion with a minimum of political correctness. You can say whatever you like here, but you should expect to be challenged on it and defend it.
Many use this site as I do, as a sounding board, a a way to be able to frame issues and have them held up to criticism and analysis.
Some use it as news.
And for some, it is entertainment. For many of us, it serves all of these purposes.
One of the main problems with the Republican party is that they want people to "like" them. Quality and integrity have a "likeability" that is inherent. Liberalism has to pander to people, because it is fundamentally flawed. It appeals to the weak minded, to those who cannot think critically and to those whose emotions rule their actions.
That is why I found that segment of your post disturbing. "Like" is an emotion, and if we have to find ways to make people "like" the right side of the political spectrum or "like" conservatism, then what people are going to like doesn't amount to a hill of beans, because it won't be conservative.
As for whether this site tolerates racism, I expect you have been here long enough to read the text under each post: "Please: NO profanity, NO personal attacks, NO racism or violence in posts."
I also find that what is missing is equally important. It doesn't say "Do not offend other posters." If it is not a personal attack, is not racist or violent, it is fair game.
As conservatives, we understand there is no right in the Constitution to NOT be offended, and we embrace that here.
Yeah. I know of this Radio Shack from my White Oak days, on New Hampshire Avenue between Powder Mill Rd. and the Beltway. Been in there many times. Glad to see my old stomping grounds are as warm and fuzzy as they were when I abandoned them 20 years ago.........
[/SARC]
--H.L. Mencken, The Baltimore Evening Sun, July 26, 1920
We are speaking past each other on the point of being liked. I’m not for watering down anything. I read the mission statement (thanks) and think that message can appeal to more ppl. FR is the premier site on the net as far as I know for conservatives to get news and discuss issues of the day. The hint of racism disturbs me cuz it makes it harder to make converts. End of story on that. Maybe I’m not realistic, but I’d like to see a day where democrats don’t have a lock on the black vote.
Anyways thanks for the replies.
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