ZOT: The irony of Free Republic

[sandbag]

I was hoping, with a name like Free Republic, that this would be a place for intelligent debate of political issues. Unfortunately, I miscalculated. After vaguely disagreeing with someone over an issue, I was repeatedly called a "troll" and promptly banned from posting. I tried again several hours later only to meet the same fate. Is everyone here aware of the fact that sometimes, from opposing points of view, one is able to learn something? That fact works in both ways too, meaning I, as an opposing point of view, could possibly learn a few things from you. Instead, you apparently choose to remain in a sheltered environment where only viewpoints aligned with yours exist. I suppose ignorance truly is bliss?

Go ahead, delete this post, ban me, whatever. Just know that "Free Republic" is an amusing misnomer.

[Grit]

Irony can be pretty ironic sometimes...

[chance33_98]

Zot

[avg_freeper]

Oh quit sandbagging and tell us how you really feel.

[Jim Robinson]

sandbag aka custserv aka orlando44, fredericknice, jedthejed, harry3, hannitized, Tom of Texas, jim_peters, mark_peters, GeorgeWill, someoneyoutrust, sammysosa, xbobx, T.Nast, HamSandwhich, BossTweed, et al, zotted.

Here's a typical post from this troll, actually, one of his more "intelligent" political debate posts:

ZOT: George W. Bush is an idiot [WARNING Post contains intelligent leftist debate, ie, the "F" word]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1100567/posts

[taxesareforever]

Ah, he's been outted, just like John Kerry.

[AmishDude]

Honestly, don't you have anything better to do with your life? Seriously.

[Gringo1]

[dirtboy]

I suppose ignorance truly is bliss?

If that's true, you must be a very happy person.

[Skooz]

Actually, the poster makes a pretty cogent point.

Don't hurt me.

[FourPeas]

Ah, yes, I've seen some of those. "He" wants us to learn something from intelligent discourse, eh? Riiiiiight.

[humblegunner]

Go ahead, delete this post, ban me, whatever.

I don't know what you are crying about, you got your way, after all.

Toodles!

[dirtboy]

Just know that "Free Republic" is an amusing misnomer.

Yeah, we exercise our right to Freedom of Association. And we don't care to associate with you. I'm sure there are plenty of other sites out there who will accept you with open arms. I would suggest you respect our rights by going to one of those.

[FourPeas]

Have you ever tried to go to a liberal site and have an intelligent conversation?

[Jim Robinson]

"Actually, the poster makes a pretty cogent point."

Sure he does. See my post #5 above:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1103098/posts?page=5#5

[dirtboy]

Actually, the poster makes a pretty cogent point.

By lying about the extent of his previous posting/banning history on FR.

[RikaStrom]

Oh good grief.

They certainly are coming out of the woodwork lately, aren't they?

[Skooz]

Yes. I have tried. Didn't work out. They are so consumed with seething hatred that rational discourse is an impossibility.

[sirshackleton]

I've been banned at DU for nothing more than saying I was a conservative.

But here's the thing....as a matter of freedom of assembly and the freedom to direct ones own private holdings in a legal manner, I think political boards have every right to purge those they don't want around. Free Republic, DU, whomever has no obligation whatsoever to provide a platform for any and every viewpoint that exists. And many here are saavy enough to know where they can find opposing viewpoints if they want.

[dead]

He’s athletic!