[OneWingedShark]

[Thread-wide Ping]

I’m rather disturbed by the mean-spirit displayed by some of you: tho OP displayed a civil open-to-discussion attitude.
Since when do we have nothing to say to, or pure venom for, those we merely disagree with?

If we cannot defend what we believe (render an apology, in the classic sense), then are we not mere hypocrites because we claim liberals to be intolerant and indoctrinated, not tolerating dissent?

[GeronL]

We need a corner of the internet where we can keep the leftists out. If we let them have a nose in the tent, pretty soon they will take over. Then there will be no conservative voices allowed.

[The Toll]

Sorry. Anyone declaring themselves a Socialist is claiming fellowship to those who have killed and enslaved millions. You’re damn right I’m done “talking”.

[skeeter]

Perhaps because I've never once met a leftists open to debate. ML was here to school us, not vice versa.

They are destroying my country and the society in which I live. I no longer have patience for their games.

[mrsmel]

For some of us, it's not that we have nothing to say to a true seeker, it's rather the patronising tone which necessarily accompanies a question from a self-described 20yo to "ask me anything", about political matters, which many of us have been actually living for decades.

[upchuck]

Don’t look at me :) He/she was zotted before I got there.

[Jeff Chandler]

I didn’t make up that story about the conservative who favored abortion because it culled a lot of Hispanics from the population. That conversation actually happened and I was reminded of him by the poster.

The poster did indeed seem like the flip side of that man, and my intent was to point out the similarities.

The apparent hostility inferred by the reader of my reply was not my primary intention. It was a bonus.

[Jane Long]

I’m disturbed that you are rather disturbed ;-)

[Albion Wilde]

I’ll let someone else explain to your thread-wide ping why the poster presented as a “retread” — someone who has been zotted before and is back for more trolling. I may be wrong; but I did get in after the zot; so my comment had nothing to do with the suspension.

[OKSooner]

I was kind to him.

If anyone abused him it was because he axed for it.

[PapaNew]

Agreed.

People seem scared of what the other side has to say. But as Reagan said so many years ago, freedom and democracy will defend itself very well and when given the chance will always prevail. The argument for freedom will always win the debate in the forum of ideas. FR should be a forum, I think, and should be a stage to demonstrate how the power of freedom and fee ideas prevails over that of tyranny. I don't think we advance the cause of freedom when we lock the other side out of the discussion. Only when we're tested with opposing ideas can we see the mettle and moral strength and value of freedom and a free society.