Opus de Darth Sidious

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[Texaggie79]

Well, it was a fun ride and I made a LOT of great friends on Free Republic... including one who came to my wedding. But nothing lasts forever, and maybe in a way it's a *good* thing, 'cuz there's no convincing some people that no increase in power makes that power any more pure.

JimRob has drummed me out of Free Republic. Here's the reason he put on the screen that popped up on my end:

Your posting privilege has been revoked.

Reason: Democrat

Now, I'm not a Democrat. Haven't been one since 1994 when I changed to Republican, and haven't changed that (yet).

If JimRob is now banning people because he believes they are Democrats, he's obliterated any credibility that Free Republic has as a *conservative* forum. Conservatism espouses a free marketplace of ideas. A dissenting idea isn't something a conservative tries to muzzle: a conservative will articulate why it that idea is wrong, make his point as convincing as possible, and let the chips fall where they may. It's LIBERALS who shut off people they disagree with from entering into debate.

I've been accused of being a Democrat, an agitator, a disruptor... any number of things. I've done my damndest to promote this site in what meager ways I've been left with these past few years. Hell, I stood for four hours - for the most part alone except for an hour with another fellow Freeper - on a summer day when the mercury hit 102, to protest an UN-Constitutional practice by a nearby city. On my sign was "FreeRepublic.com". My own money, my own principles, and no one ever asked me to do it. I'll wager that that as small a thing that was, it's a helluva lot more than what most people have done in their time on Free Republic.

Today, I presented an idea - one that wasn't Republican or Democrat, or any other party's notion - that is apparently unwelcome on this forum. My belief is this: that we cannot trust a political party - ANY political party - with any great amount of power, because political parties are about nothing but power. Given enough power, the Republicans would become as corrupt and evil as the Democrats. Maybe it was my comparing the Bush-bots to the Clintonistas. Maybe it was my stating that Free Republic is fast becoming as wildly extremist as Democratic Underground. Or maybe it was my admission that, yes, I *will* vote for Erskine Bowles for U.S. Senator from North Carolina. Between the two major contenders, Bowles is the only one who is a real resident of this state... and my sentiments for North Carolina far outweigh the "needs" of any political party.

For whatever reason it was, JimRob banned me... but if it was for the crime of *once* being a Democrat, that demonstrates how shallow Free Republic is becoming. I've no love or loyalty for the Democratic party and the Republicans have given me no reason why my trust should be placed with them.

I suppose there's no room at Free Republic anymore for those of us who see America's freedom as a gift from God's grace rather than man's pride.

Sincerely, Christopher Knight "Darth Sidious"

[cynicom]

Open discussion and disagreement is one thing. However, it fails me to see how any thinking man could possibly vote for Bowles. Not voting for Dole is understandable but that does not mean one "has" to vote. Cast your ballot and leave that selection empty, that is anyones right.

Casting a vote for Dole may well gain you nothing, however a vote for Bowles is a guarantee of aiding and abetting the socialists. I dislike Dole but there is no way I will furnish the socialists a rope to hang me with.

[boomop1]

bowels is as slimy or more so then the clinton's, he doesn't deserve caps either, bravo yankee plus who gives a rats rear end?

[AppyPappy]

[goodieD]

dang, sparky, we're on a roll...

[Republican Wildcat]

Free Republic is becoming as much an extremist fringe group as is Democratic Underground

And people wonder why he would be banned?

[AppyPappy]

[BluesDuke]

...if not making sense was a banning offense, there would be no finger left on the ban button.

Are you kidding? If not making sense was a banning offence, there would be only 25-30 FREEPers, period...

[diotima]

Well, I used to live in MA (Cambridge, of all places) for 12 years. I was never registered to vote in MA, but I was living there during the Weld/Silber race and I would have voted for Silber, and he was a D.

Personally, I think the stronger argument will prevail...so put it out there and lets test it.

[Focault's Pendulum]

He can come back on November 6th. Anyone who would encourage people to vote for a corrupt Clintonite marxist for the U.S. Senate, the most powerful office on Earth, is not welcome on FR during the heat of the campaign season. He needs six or seven weeks in the hole to get his mind right.

Like I said...he's young...and as is your regs...a bit of a timeout...and reflect.

Give the kid another look...he is one of us my friend.

You're site...Your call.

I might have done this as a private reply...however....I trust your judgement...and the companionship that has been been this site needs to stay together.

Jim, please allow them the movement of youth.

You and I were once young...we had the whole world in front of us....My friend...we're not young any more...it's time to teach.....let's teach them.

Let us teach them, not by being judgemental,not because because they disagree with our maturity. And as they want to violently agree with our decisions....should we be wrong.

It sometimes come to a matter of patience.

Mebbe I should have e mailed you this

[jjm2111]

Free Republic is an online gathering place for independent, grass-roots conservatism on the web. We're working to roll back decades of governmental largesse, to root out political fraud and corruption, and to champion causes which further conservatism in America. And we always have fun doing it. Hoo-yah!

I don't see Republican here. I'd vote for a conservative/libertarian Dem over a RINO any day of the week. I might even vote for an honest, liberal Dem over a corrupt, conservative Reublican. (None of this will EVER happen in my state, BTW)

I didn't know Darth, but I read his posts (I don't agree w/ the Erskine Bowles thing), but nothing he said was THAT bad.

[NittanyLion]

Are you kidding? If not making sense was a banning offence, there would be only 25-30 FREEPers, period...

Fortunately, I'd be one of them... *grin*

[lugsoul]

I was born and raised in TN - but I haven't lived there (except for a three year period) in thirty years - does that make me a resident, qualified to run for public office in TN. Or does the answer to that question depend on which PARTY?

[Argh]

Oh, sure, but are you going to do the decent thing and beat Miami?

:^)

[Skooz]

I wouldn't vote for a democRAT if my life depended on it.

I hereby admit to voting for Edwin Edwards (D) for governor of Louisiana when his opponent was the goose-stepping, hood-wearing, Nazi-salute giving David Duke.

There. I said it. I voted Democrat one time. I feel better now. It won't happen again.

[AppyPappy]

Oh, sure, but are you going to do the decent thing and beat Miami?

like a red-headed stepchild.

[dead]

Sorry to see Darth go.

Perhaps we should just have drop-down boxes that allow us to select from a list of acceptable responses.

Sure would simplify things.

[f.Christian]

Reminds me of the banning of arrator(?) prior to the election of nov 2000!

[NeoCaveman]

Oh, sure, but are you going to do the decent thing and beat Miami?

like a red-headed stepchild.

Let's hope so.

[xp38]

Ah Darth...a pupil of mine once...he was seduced by the dark side of the force. :)

[BluesDuke]

Well he's right about the party thing but what the hell he's thinking voting for a Democrat over Mrs. Dole is beyond me.

Perhaps he believes that, where you're given a choice between the name brand Democrat and the Democrat in practically everything but the name, you can't do any worse than to pick the name brand - because, at least when the Democrat begins behaving as the name implies, you can't grow half as many ulcers as you might when the Republican begins behaving like there's a Democratic label wrapped around her?

The road to Damnocratic hell is paved with Republican't good intentions.