Posted on 04/01/2005 4:26:00 PM PST by Poohbah
First, this is NOT an April Fool's joke.
I am leaving Free Republic.
Over the past two years, civility and thoughtful discourse has vanished from this site, replaced with demands for ideological conformity that are straight out of Stalinist Russia or China's Great Cultural Revolution, and unrelenting uncivility if said conformance is not forthcoming. This trend began with the California recall election, where certain posters were allowed to flame the living beejezus out of those who didn't wholeheartedly support Tom McClintock, or thought that he wasn't running a campaign capable of winning. It extended into the Keyes campaign last year, where any critique of Keyes' campaign strategy was shrilly flamed, despite the obviously flawed execution of his campaign.
(Aside: one person who flamed me during the Keyes mess later said that he hadn't intended to start a fight with his remarks that accused me of homosexuality, pedophilia, and other evils; I was instantly reminded of the time I had to bail one of my Marines out of the local lockup. "Honest, Sarge," this Marine told me, "I didn't mean to start a fight when I called that Army Ranger a faggot." My response was not [and still isn't] suitable for public consumption.)
Since then, the Terri Schiavo case has pushed FR over the edge. We had posts calling for people to ensure that "accidents" to befall Schiavo and Judge Greer. We had posts praying that Iran would soon develop nuclear weapons, so that they could destroy the United States. And until the FBI started making arrests, those posts were allowed to stay up, completely abnegating Free Republic's standards.
We had people on both sides of the issue point out that the Schindlers were associating with some people of extremely low character, and that our uncritical embrace of these parties would not rebound to our favor. Rather reasonable attitudes to take, actually; but the loudest of the loud were in no mood to think.
My personal favorite was the following exchange:
The issue is not legality, but public opinion. Which will not be helped in this case if the pro-Terry side becomes associated in the media with Christian Identity, white supremicists, neo-nazis, racists and/or anti-semites.
Diva Betsy Ross made a valiant attempt to...ahem...whitewash Christian Identity, but it didn't work.
To top things off, we had people embracing as some sort of conservative icon, to the extent of posting a fundraising link.
I always thought that conservatism valued thinking over feeling, careful contemplation of facts over wild-eyed repetition of every damn rumor to come down the pipe, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. For a while, Free Republic met those criteria in spades.
Those days are long gone, and I have serious doubt as to whether or not they're coming back.
I know that many of the usual suspects will cheer this on, as their longtime nemesis is leaving them the field.
Be careful what you wish for; you are in the process of getting it. You may succeed in driving the folks who disagree with you from the site; but you will end up being just another collection of shrill voices in Bedlam. When everything is an over-the-top scream, no one will be heard.
Farewell.
LOL....Theatrical is clearly here somewhere.....:o)
Stay safe Bill Bob !
LOL. That is my heritage, on my mother's side. My dad's side didn't do religion at all. The odd thing however is that my dad was a very spiritual man, who took matters of conscience very seriously, even when inconvenient. He is my role model, and will be until my final exit. Things sometimes work in mysterious ways.
Hope you return, us newbies really need your presence here.
You're openning full shows that you haven't been paying attention. Even back in 1998 when you joined, this forum was loaded with lack of civility and lack of thoughtful discourse. The difference is, instead of being focused on Clinton and the democrats, it's now found focus on republicans and conservatives. Because they are in charge and not a whole lot has really changed. But now you've also got a group of republicans and conservatives who believe republicans and conservatives can do no wrong and will go to any length to show it and on the opposite side of the spectrum are the "purests" who believe that both Bush brothers should have personally donned flack jackets and swooped down in Pinellas County and rescued Terri and even that wouldn't have been good enough. Somewhere in between is reality. But even more important is that each of these polar opposite camps are trying to out Ann Coulter each other with all the zings and zangs they can get off at each other.
I can't believe that so many have fallen into the trap instead of exposing these people for what they are. You knew the minute they started blaming Jeb what they were really all about.
How does someone "lose" their post? If you don't mind sharing.
I joined FR originally in Sept.99 you were here before I was. There is just no possible way you are hauling ass.
Misunderstandings happen. People often post inartfully. It happens. The best course is to not to assume the worst, but to ask the person if they understand, etc. Civil dialogue takes two civil pariticipants.
Every little bit helps.
First I applaud your honesty. I am sad to read that you feel that way. But, frankly you are not the only one and perhaps this situation is no longer the minority.
When I first came to Free Republic it was at the time where the threads were White Water and about Clinton and his well worthless being on this earth.
I found a common good on FR. Dave and I even went down to DC for the rally, held on Halloween, I believe. After a while life got hectic and I drifted from FR, I followed the threads regarding the news but not really having time to respond so a few years past and I found that I was in need of a common good fix and returned to Free Republic.
While I was welcomed with open arms. I seemed to get into trouble more than one would having been with FR as long as I had. I would forget to post the exact link, only the link to the publication. I would search for a duplicate and would not find one and pray tell there it was already posted. During the holidays the White House Museum writes an essay creates the annual ornament. I thought it was great, the essay, I posted it and it was removed for solicitation.
Nobody intends to post a duplicate but when it is pulled, there are many good ideas that go down the drain. I do not know how to remedy that but I do know I feel bad when a thread is pulled.
Thread hijacking. I thought it was one of those rules, that said to not go off topic on a thread and to go to one that is offering the discussion you are interested in. The Schiavo case comes to mind. I posted about other's at the Hospice and nothing about Terri and there it was going to Terri land. Even worse when a soldier was found guilty facing 10 years folks were posting Terri comments.
Then of course there are the excerpts that drive all of us crazy. I failed there a couple of times but not intentionally. I am sure someone reading this is now saying blah blah blah ... go away Former Military Chick.
I wont, but I wonder why cannot make this the place on the net to come and share common goals, debate current issues and when there is disagreement that you respectfully agree to disagree. That we have updated excerpt pages, duplicate instruction, a thread that perhaps is on the welcome page, on the posting page? Not that we are not capable of searching but it is tough at times and there are new folks everyday that seem unaware of where the rules and regs are for Free Republic.
We can leave or make things better. Perhaps your thread will open up that discussion. I know there are many who thank JR for creating a forum for us to gather and discuss openly, honestly and loudly, I hope that will continue to be the mandate.
Ditto
Really sorry to see this, and hope you'll reconsider.
As you hardly need reminding from a relative n00b, the Bedlam thing is cyclical, though this outbreak does seem worse than most.
(/just kidding)
It's true! lol
Maybe it isn't a case of taking FR too seriously, but those who take whatever their issue is, and make serious discussion about it difficult because their considered opinion is the only one that is right (in both senses of the word). Their issue may be important, but they take their role in it much too seriously. Those people lead me to avoid whole classes of threads.
And this certainly isn't the only place on the web where the Schiavo case really affected the discourse.It will be interesting to see what happens here over the next few weeks.
I don't think this was a more passionate issue than, say, the Elian days, when something exactly like this happened, but there are a lot more FReepers now and unfortunately many of them left their manners at the door. We've been down this road before.
Give it a rest and come on back.
Everything YOU said, grandma :o)
(from a newbie grandma)
My God! I never thought I had a thicker skin than a U.S. Marine!
LOL.
That is very true.
I've been here since June of '98 myself. I changed handles right before 911. I've often thought that, with the prestige associated with one's sign-up date, I should ask if they would allow me to keep my original date. You think they might do it if I finally donate something?
Heat... kitchen... I think you know the drill. This WPPFF has an awful lot of thin skins in it, feel free to follow The Coven into obscurity. I think "euthanasiapost.com" is still available, if you hurry.
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