I believe I was what one might consider a “Never Trumper” in words. In deed however, I voted for him and am glad for it. I remember saying he was not a conservative, and that may still be true. He is a nationalist though, and now I see that a brash nationalist was badly needed. Hindsight is 20/20 as they say. It took me a while to believe he could actually win. I doubt I’m alone in that sentiment. When he did, it was politically the biggest upset I’d ever seen, an so thoroughly satisfying. I know I wrote things that questioned the conservatism of others, on this forum. For that I am sorry. Crow- it tastes like Chicken!
You are always going to have more unity when the person in power is against conservative principles (read opposition party is in control). However, when it comes to selecting & electing the person with conservative principles (read the party you identify with most) there is always going to be infighting. Those nattering nay bombs of negativity are merely those who are looking for excuses to trounce and say I told you so. They are best ignored, or if you prefer, point out where they are short-sighted. 8>)
Sigh. I know.
I used to feel like I could go into just about any thread and participate.
Now, I see certain threads, and just bypass them. Don’t even bother, because I know the same people will be in there lashing out at the same people.
There are a few posters I simply won’t even read their posts because they are so irascible, irritable, hostile, and often irrational that it is easier just not to interact.
I used to try to discuss things with some people rationally and try to bring things down to a manageable level of discourse, but some people don’t want that. They are angry and spoiling for a fight with anyone.
It would be one thing if there was someone with a sore spot, and you know if that sore spot is poked,they will lash out viciously, and you just avoid the subject.
But it seems that on any given day, something seemingly innocent can result in a heated discussion replete with ad hominem attacks. It is unpredictable.
I chalk it up to a lot of anger (God knows I have plenty of that in reserve) but I try to avoid (when I can) directing it undeservingly at other conservatives.
I love FR, but the negativity can be deep on some days.
Fun days!
People that are left and thrive here know one major thing. We are fighting to save what is left of the USA. We know that if the left wins, all is over. We are not going back to the Constitution or the USA as we know it.
We also know that we have to learn to take what is most important at this time to move to save this country. We still have principles, but we know our principles are not a death sentence either.
I lurk far more than I post. I use FR to see what headlines are trending among us. I joined probably in my early 20’s which was after 9/11. Didn’t really feel like I fit in due to age disparity compared to most here, but as years went by it’s still one of my most visited sites. being self-funded it’s nice there is a conservative site that doesn’t have to bend to advertisers will, or worry about shutdown from Google pulling adsense revenue.
I’ve loved Free Republic for 20 years. It has always been the place I go to for insight on issues, and is a refuge for those of us who despise and distrust the liberal media. Is it perfect? Of course not, but it beats anything else out there. Freepers are also some of the funniest people I know! I don’t like the infighting, but I know that we share the same core values.
I have been here 20 years in November after lurking for six months.
things have changed.
Seems like we lose more than we gain.
but am glad you are here.
I see nothing different at all. There was a lot of contention over Bush, a lot of contention over McCain and a lot of contention over Romney. The nature of politics is contentious.
Glad you’re sticking around even if only to lurk
>> In 2016, in the run-up to the election of Donald J. Trump as the 45th President of the United States, I began to detect the seeds of dissension and disharmony at Free Republic, ala the “Never Trump” crowd that emerged ... <<
Curious. As a Ted Cruz supporter I found FR was becoming a Trump-only site and any view contrary to the Trump candidacy was bashed - often based on feelings over fact. I told Jim Robinson of my concerns at the time that FR was heading down a highly partisan path. The day Cruz lost the Indiana primary and dropped out, I immediately became an active Trump supporter and never looked back.
FR can get frisky at times, but it’s my go-to site for news commentary since 2001. I hope you extend your lurking.
Hi. I hope you are doing well.
In the fwiw dept, there have been flame wars here for ever.
5.56mm
When I got my first home computer in late 1997 the first conservative website I found was World Net Daily and maybe The Drudge Report and a few others. I soon found Free Republic and spent a few nights checking into it. Seems like I remember comments about how great Colin Powell and other so called black conservatives were and it turned me off. I totally forgot about Free Republic for almost ten years or so and then in 2008 when Obama was about to get elected I stumbled across it again. Makes me mad I wasted all that time!
One only has to look at the number of Romney supporters who were driven away by the mob mentality then blamed for the election of Obama by those who decided to stay home........Go figure..........LOL!
You'll be back, it's addictive.....
The internet, overall has changed a lot.
In 20 years many have died, and many more have been born. A new generation of people who grew up treating the keyboard a little differently. There was a time in human communication when people who learned to use pens just crossed out mistakes where those who still used pencils did not. This lead to a lot of arguments.
This is a generational thing now. I remember the first time I used “CUSeeMe” I was all polite and used my best HAM Radio voice and manners. Now I see that people just whip out their d!cks and jerk off on it.
There are lots of changes.
Glad this is not an OPUS.
This site gets bumpy and I’m
The Drunk Uncle in the basement.
I’ve made Marines cry and
old ladies swoon but I just like
Shareing my streams of thought.
bump
.
Will the United Stated of America still be funding Planned Parenthood after President Trump’s Administration?
Welcome to Arizona (from a fellow California escapee)!