Blair may decide to quit sooner than expected

The Daily Telegraph ^ | May 6, 2005 | Rachel Sylvester

[Cooter]

You will be missed.

[dirtboy]

I am right on the edge of calling it quits. Don't like what I have seen for the last 18 months and it is not getting better. When Freepers like Mad Ivan are leaving, have to ask myself why I am still here.

There was a lot of uncivility unleashed during the Terri Schiavo saga, the likes of which we hadn't seem since the Elian saga. And that seemed to shift the tenor of the forum, and it hasn't shifted back.

However, this is also the time to work out beefs within the GOP - just after the last election, but well before the next one. So some of the rancor is, IMO, healthy, because it ensures that the higher-ups realize that there are a wide range of viewpoints that need to be addressed.

Folks shouldn't be so quick to label grumblers as some kind of closet Democrat - typically in a presidential election, you have to put some of your issues aside and vote for the greater good, as we did in 2004 because John Kerry left us no choice whatsoever with a war being waged. But that does not mean those issues are buried and gone for good.

[painter]

There is a disagreeable aura here now. Evidently you don't perceive it.

I have been here for awhile and that is something that comes and goes from time to time.My guess is outside sources come in to tear us apart.

Remember the last election?I believe we played a pivotal part in Bush's election..ie Buckhead's blowing apart the National Guard "Story".The dems know our influence and will do about anything to stop us.

[VadeRetro]

You'll be missed, Ivan. You fought the good fight here.

[ohioWfan]

dirtboy..........will you give this up about Laura? Everybody knows how you feel, so please stop whining. I haven't said anything nasty about you, and you haven't said anything nasty (that I have seen) about Laura, so posting to me wasn't necessary.

There have been problems on both sides that have been allowed to continue.......in the case of Laura, where vulgarity and slander in the name of 'decency' has been left alone, but worse in the case of dear Terri where evil things were being said by some freepers, and dozens of trolls posing on both sides of the issue. Rotten things were said about the Pope too...

Free speech is a good thing, but common decency and a compunction to tell the truth has been missing all over the place here lately, and if it's driven Ivan away (in addition to many others), it needs to be controlled.

[cyncooper]

Yes, I'm well aware of the ebb and flow of the forum having read it since 1997.

[snugs]

Tony Blair went to the UN to keep a consensus in his own party not the country in order that he could retain support for US position within his own party which he believed should be Britain's policy.

He also used this as an opportunity to give himself a stage in world politics that he had not had before he will will do the same this year as Britain take their turn in the Presidency of the EU.

I will always be thankful what Blair did but not his motives and not the way he did it insisting on that other UN resolution that was doomed to failure did not help the US IMHO.

[wolficatZ]

[dirtboy]

dirtboy..........will you give this up about Laura? Everybody knows how you feel, so please stop whining. I haven't said anything nasty about you, and you haven't said anything nasty (that I have seen) about Laura, so posting to me wasn't necessary.

This isn't about Laura any more, it is about the tone of FR - and the matter with Laura is the most recent episode of such incivility. So it is highly relevant to address that.

Free speech is a good thing, but common decency and a compunction to tell the truth has been missing all over the place here lately, and if it's driven Ivan away (in addition to many others), it needs to be controlled.

And as I said, one of the best ways to improve civility is to demand it of those on your own side. Did you call anyone on your side to task for excessive attacks? Or are you only concerned about the incivility of the other side?

[painter]

I hate seeing you leave.I really enjoyed reading your perspective from across the "pond".You need to read my reply to cyncooper.

[ohioWfan]

This is silly, dirtboy. Did you? Or are we both grownups?

I stated that I disagreed with the name calling. Stop whining.......please??

(Mind if I ask how old you are.....just for future reference?)

[painter]

I started lurking here in 97.

[BonnieJ]

Many of us here appreciate your country and your contributions too, MadIvan. Please reconsider. Although I do understand your reaction, this can be a vicious place but those who speak out that way do not represent the majority. Thanks for all your insights.

[mombonn]

This makes me very sad, MadIvan. I do hope you reconsider.

[dirtboy]

I stated that I disagreed with the name calling. Stop whining.......please??

You're bemoaning the lack of civility on this forum. I am saying that a good way to improve it is to prod those on your side to be more civil. Folks during a debate are more likely to heed calls for civility from their own side. That's why more people need to step up and demand a better tone - from those they agree with. The mods and JimRob can only do so much, as they have said time and time again.

(Mind if I ask how old you are.....just for future reference?)

Old as dirt.

[TheBigB]

Don't go!!! Stay with us!!! Please!!!! :(

[Eepsy]

As someone who has half her family on your beautiful island, I have greatly appreciated reading your insight into all things English.

Please do not go. If you feel you absolutely must, do not go far. Start a weblog. I, for one, would be a frequent reader.

[Praxeus]

Yes, of course.

My statement was too general, if not misleading. I meant he sought to retain a consensus for sake of holding on to the reigns of the issue of Iraq. In his case, that meant retaining a consensus within his party.

Sorry for the confusion.

[wk4bush2004]

I am really grateful for what Britain has done for the US. Thank you.

US-UK-----Brothers Forever.

[Paradox]

Say it ain't so!

Look, FR has more than its fair share of bigots, but I think the majority of Freepers LOVE most things British. I am hispanic, without a drop of English blood in me, but I am an Anglophile of the highest degree! Don't let the bombastic minority here get to you my friend. You are one of the better posters on FR.