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I disagree. Respecting the written statement of the founder of this site is not fearing "reasoned debate". Comparing that respect to what goes on at DU is insulting.
You misunderstand me. I don't disrespect either the founder nor of his statement. But many Freepers don't subscribe to every facet of the statement, nor do they necessarily accept the social aspects of it as a priority for the Nation. We're not talking about respect. Those who throw the statement up continually are attempting to show that the statement is akin to one of the sacred documents of this Nation and to disagree with anything it says is to prove one does not belong here on FR. Today, one of the great Freepers of all time was banned simply for her support of a Republican candidate and for her eloquence and keen ability to articulate why we as Republicans should all come together to defeat Hillary.
That respect you refer to has manifested itself in some disgusting tactics, obscene insults, and continual threats of zotting. That is what I am comparing to DU, not the founders statement nor the respect we all have for it.