12 Traditions of Free Republic (Vanity)

5/14/2012 | By Lazamataz

[Lazamataz]

There's been lots of infighting and problems among Free Republic members lately. Some of the 'warring factions' are the ABO voters versus the NoRomney crowd; and the Mormon attackers versus the Mormom defenders.

I have taken the liberty of rewriting the 12 Traditions of AA a little, to apply them to a deeply political forum such as ours. The 12 Traditions have helped AA stay together no matter how much cabal-ing, clique-ing, and politic-ing (in Alocholics Anonymous) have happened over the decades. Those Traditions are battle tested in real life. We might look at them to keep our organization on the straight and narrow. If you want to see REAL DRAMA, go to a world AA conference. OMG. The 12 Traditions are what keeps that group together.

Here is my suggested Twelve Traditions of Free Republic:

1. Our conservative values should come first; America's recovery depends upon conservative unity.
2. For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority — a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Jim Robinson and the Moderators are but trusted servants; they moderate discussions, they do not govern member feelings, convictions, and beliefs.
3. The only requirement for Free Republic membership is a desire for America to be governed by conservative principles.
4. Each individual should be autonomous except in matters affecting conservatism as a whole.
5. Each member has but one primary purpose — to carry the conservative message to the public who still suffers.
6. A Free Republic member ought never lend the Free Republic name to any outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property, and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
7. Free Republic ought to be fully self-supporting, declining contributions from other political organizations.
8. Free Republic should remain forever nonprofessional, but our website may employ special workers.
9. Free Republic, as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.
10. Free Republic as an institution has no opinion on outside Republican organizations; hence the Free Republic name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
11. Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; and we need always maintain personal anonymity amongst our members.
12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.

This is a suggestion, only. Please discuss amongst yourselves....

[Lazamataz]

Please consider holding to these traditions, individually and as an institution. They have worked for groups much more diverse and divided than even ours.

[MCSP2008]

It is good my friend, it is all good :}}}

[MCSP2008]

[Romanian native > ESL]

[tomkat]

I'll vouch for that   ;-)

< save >

[Lazamataz]

Just-a-suggestion ping.

[RedMDer]

BTTT!
Thanks Laz!

[Jedidah]

Impressive, Laz. I didn’t realize you were so articulate.

[y6162]

God only needed ten.

[Slings and Arrows]

My name is Slings and Arrows, and I’m a freepaholic.

[mnehring]

I think we need to get back on the track with 5. Selling the Conservative message and making it attractive.

I can’t tell you the last time I’ve heard the positive, encouraging attitude of Reagan come from any Conservative.

Where is the celebration of the individual and telling someone they can achieve anything? Where is the statements that you don’t need a government solution?

Instead, I hear wailing and gnashing of teeth over each and every election or news story.

We talk about some Conservative policies, but we don’t live or speak to the fundamental Conservative principle.

[Cyber Liberty]

I will refrain from peeing on your head for demoting me to #8....

[Cyber Liberty]

...Behind you!

[Lazamataz]

Thanks. But I am more concerned we keep Free Republic going through some rocky times. And with Obama, THESE ARE THOSE.

Another freeper put it very very VERY well. I will quote his eloquent words, adding a little for clarity, and make it big and bold so people see it:

I’ve been surprised that seein’ the country come apart at the seams every day for the last three+ years hasn’t caused more crackups on Free Republic before now, frankly.

Maybe the younger ones just don’t see it as clearly, but folks in their 50s^ (like me) have seen it turn just about completely to shit in comparison to what we grew up in.

The reactions and crackups (like that thread, assuming that’s the cause) are going to throw lots of ‘normal’ ‘middle of the road’ FReepers for a serious loop in the days and months ahead. And the "shooting, riots, voter fraud and purposeful crises" part hasn't even started yet ..

[Lazamataz]

True. But God has commandments, not traditions. ;)

[SERKIT]

Two best traditions of FR:
1) Pictures of Catherine Zeta Jones are required for all comments about MoDo.
2) Bunnies with pancakes for all posts where it is difficult or impossible to determine the purpose.

[Lazamataz]

More pings.

[umgud]

Sounds gud, I’d hit that.

[Morgana]

“My name is Slings and Arrows, and I’m a freepaholic.”

Hello Slings and Arrows.

[kjam22]

Freerepublic used to have some incredibly witty and funny people who could always make us laugh. But back then our main concern was if Bill was getting fisky with Monica etc. I guess it’s difficult to say much funny about debt that is about to destroy our country etc. But I miss FR of years back though....

[Lazamataz]

Realistically, it might be AMERICA you miss, as she was, years back.

We are under stress. Stress can cause infighting if traditions are not adapted and followed.

[5Madman2]

Sir

I mean this as a compliment, please don’t take it any other way

In the past few days you have shown yourself to be a voice of reason and rational thought when you normally present yourself as a “Wild and Crazy guy” that would “Hit” the unhittable.

Your thoughts on the eastforker/humblegunner and other threads do much for this forum in ways diffenerent from your usual irreverent musings. You add many dimensions to the forum and I appreciate every one as I am sure others do.

Thanks much

Da Madman

[y6162]

Why do we all have to get along?

[kjam22]

Probably right...

[catfish1957]

13?. Hit it like bass drum?

[Lazamataz]

Freerepublic used to have some incredibly witty and funny people....

Oh, and what am I, chopped livah?

[kjam22]

All your base are belong to us....

[GBA]

7. Free Republic ought to be fully self-supporting, declining contributions from other political organizations.

Amen. Integrity. Things should run their course. Let value rule.

[Lazamataz]

Thank you very much for your kind thoughts. The last few days have been exhausting. I've poured a lot of my true self into them. The funny crazy Laz, he's still here, but he needed to go away while the real man you see, poured his soul into trying to help so many different people.

I'm tired for a while. This thread marks my (very temporary) cessation on those efforts.

I need to fill myself back up. I need to get my own spiritual self rested.

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR KIND WORDS!

[tomkat]

Good, that lets me off the typing hook   ;-)

But don't blame some innocent anecdotal observations for increased suicides, internecine warfare, 'postal' incidents, etc !

Speaking of, that thread's rapidly becoming a textbook CF, as your pings have prolly shown.

oh well, nobody gets out alive anyway !

[5Madman2]

Rest and please continue

Thanks for your dedication

Da madman

[Lazamataz]

Thankfully, JimRob has been a man of integrity on this tradition, instinctually: 7. Free Republic ought to be fully self-supporting, declining contributions from other political organizations.

If he hadn't, we'd have noticed the sellout. He'd suddenly be all on the MR bandwagon, for example, or ban those that talked trash about Karl Rove.

[madmominct]

Thank you...as a confirmed Freepaholic, I can appreciate these traditions. I don’t like to see us fighting one another...I’ve been a Freeper since the Clinton Mess, and intend to continue. It’s my one-stop shop for news and commentary.

[combat_boots]

Well, as Denninger said in 2008, "If you wish to juggle jars of nitroglycerin, I hope you don't mind if I ask that you do it in your country rather than in ours." (Speaking of fiat money, unsecured loans, CDS swaps, etc., etc). Speaking of which, ZeroHedge's Tyler Durden posted an article on Greece in 1 picture, with this one of the Athens, Greece, Ministry of Finance: But, as you said, Laz, the really serious stuff hasn't started (here) yet... People need to read ZeroHedge. Daily.

[SCalGal]

Great job Laz.

[Lazamataz]

Good Lord.

[CatherineofAragon]

Very good....and #1 is so very important, IMO.

Blessed are the peacemakers, and you’re one of those, Laz.
God bless you...we love you.

[RedMDer]

Click

[combat_boots]

It’s a real picture, taken a few days ago by a German documentary crew....

“We were going to do a caption contest out of this image, but unfortunately this is not funny. It is tragic. Many people will lose all their money, savings, livelihood, and more because of this...

What is it? It is a picture taken at the Athens ministry of finance.

It is part of a full documentary (go to 24 minutes in for the lack of money shot) released a few days ago by German TV station ZDF called The Greek Lie. It is self-explanatory, and shows where 2 years of bailout funds went, or rather didn’t, and why 2 years to the day after the first bailout, not only is Greece not fixed, but is days away from leaving the Eurozone, but at a cost to taxpayers of nearly half a trillion.

We urge anyone, even non-German speakers, to set aside 45 minutes and view the clip below. It is unsettling at best.”

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/must-see-greece-explained-one-picture

How much money did Greece get in loans? Tyler Durden has an article suggesting that Greece may go bankrupt TOMORROW. It is the Greek CDS swap hedges that sent JPM Chase reeling, IIRC.

I notice there are very few articles being posted about MONEY and FINANCE on FR. We are in really bad, bad financial trouble, and we’re talking about gayness and race?

[RatRipper]

Freerepublic used to have some incredibly witty and funny people who could always make us laugh.

I still get a lot of laughs from the insightful, wicked humor on FR. Libtards are the ones with no sense of humor. There are certainly those around here that need to learn how to tactfully critque the views of other while not belittling or attacking them. Critique the idea; do not attack a fellow Freeper . . . unless of course they are a troll.

One of the main premises I have is that Liberals are the real haters. We Freepers should operate with that in mind and distinguish ourselves in the quality of our opinions and analysis. WE are the ideology of morality,fact and reason, not emotion and deceit. Our ideas and principles are bigger than one person, one Presidential nominee and one election. More flies are caught with honey than with salt. A salesman does not close a deal on a prospect by being abrasive against the person he is trying to sell.

Thank you Laz for starting this discussion.

[Hugin]

New Greek Tourist Ministry slogan: “Come see Greece, we've got brand new ruins!”

[PGalt]

Very well-stated. Thanks, Lazamataz.

[Brad’s Gramma]

Oh just can it, Laz. Can it.

I'M KIDDING EVERYONE!!!

[Lazamataz]

Best.

Post.

InTheHistoryOfTheInternet.

LOL!

[holly go-rightly]

um, keep coming back?

[Lazamataz]

Hey Gabz. Here it is as it’s own thread.

[Lazamataz]

I will! :)

[GBA]

I totally agree. And neither of us would have been here this long if he had. No sharks are jumped here. Send up the bomb.

[Larry Lucido]

I like it!

[Quix]

A worthy translation, imho.

Thx for the ping.

[cripplecreek]

Some say he has a detachable penis and an irrational fear of clowns. Others say the two are related.

We don't know. All we know is that they call him the Laz.