Freepers drive me nuts!

[Courtesy Flush]

I'm a former freeper, and in my day I had my mind made up, though I could not support my beliefs with facts, or provide sources for anything I believed was true (hey, it's part of the freeper code).

Now, like a former smoker who is always more militant than someone who hasn't been there, I get frustrated as all hell on messageboards where politics are discussed. People throw out all kinds of allegations about what Obama plans to do if elected, but press them for documentation, and they tell you to look it up yourself. I swear, I used to do the same thing!!!

It's so nice to take a position and be able to back it up with facts. I'd like to thank George W Bush for converting to liberalism.

[unpossibles]

1. congrats!

I have to agree, although I was an Independent and not a Freeper, but I know what you mean.

In my opinion, Bush taught us all just how bad the "greater of two evils" can be, and that's pretty bad. His incompetence and misplaced arrogance, and the machinations of the modern GOP, pushed me considerably farther left, just as studying more about the issues did.

Hell, even my father, who is a former Republican turned Libertarian actually shocked me by voting Democratic in 2006! He hates Bush and thinks that the current administration has ruined the party irrevocably.

[Warpy]

2. It's nice to know that crazy people can go sane

and I know a lot of former cultists and former right wing nutcases who have opened their eyes and answered the clue phone and generally come to confront reality head on and enjoy the experience.

Just recognize that the crazy people are where you used to be and until something happens to them to cause an epiphany, they'll stay crazy.

All I do is tell them that what they think they know isn't true at all and walk away. I can't convince them by demonstrating the facts. I can't convince them by rubbing their noses in reality. They don't want to see it and I can't make them, no matter whether or not I lose my temper and scare them.

You don't need to suffer in silence. Just say your bit and walk away. You owe it to the crazy people to show them where reality is. You don't owe it to them to hang around and continue to be abused.

If and when they have that epiphany, they'll remember what you said and it will give them a place to start to recover.

[Courtesy Flush]

4. "Answered the clue phone" LOL I'm going to plagiarize that. nt

[B Calm]

3. Ha Ha, I love that picture of McCain supporters!

[TahitiNut]

5. It's not a 'drive' ... it's merely a short putt. And that's a Good Thing.

Please don't say "nuts" like it's a Bad Thing. It's offensive to us Nuts.

Thanks.
:hi:

* This is a public service posting on behalf of the International Association of Fruits & Nuts, Ad Hoc DU Chapter.

:silly:

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[Courtesy Flush]

12. I know how you feel

I feel the same way when people describe something as "lame" when they think it's stupid. I actually am lame.

[hfojvt]

6. Link?

Do you have some examples of this?

It's not like the same thing doesn't happen here. There have been many predictions of an impending war with Iran, of an impending great depression, of impending fascism. (Okay the last two may be ongoing as we speak.) Etc. During the primary wars there were distortions and dishonest allegations coming from both camps and also a fair amount of "proof by vitriol" even outside of primary season. "People are people." The whole "all virtue is with my side and all nefariousness is with the other side" does not seem accurate to me. The fact you demonstrated, that people can switch sides, ought to temper some of the hostile rhetoric. "Come now, and let us reason together." Isaiah 1: 18

[Courtesy Flush]

8. I don't want to share the link

It's a sailing messageboard, and they created a separate political forum to keep the flaming off the main board. We're all sailors, and we get together for gatherings sometimes, despite our online altercations.

I really want to keep it in the family and not have non-sailors flood the forum. Hope you understand.

[hfojvt]

10. is that a rich man's sport or a tough life

I had some relatives who were sailors and I remember many of them dying in their 20s or 30s "at sea". Of course, that might have been one ship that went down with three brothers on it. I got the impression it was a tough business.

But if you are talking about people who own their own boats and sail for recreation, then I think that's pretty well off. Meaning they are probably in the over $250,000 set who will pay more taxes under Obama. :nopity:

[Courtesy Flush]

11. LOL. That's what I thought before I started sailing

Sure, plenty of rich people sail, but this is a messageboard for people with small boats. Some of the members have little car-topper boats. Others have trouble paying for the gasoline to tow their boat to the marina. One of the most active and knowledgeable members on the board lives below the poverty level. I know him well, and have been to his home. And yes, there are a few semi-wealthy people there too, though probably none in the $250k ballpark.

It's funny the stigma that sailing has. Trust me, the redneck with the bass boat spends many times more that I do. Yet his sport is considered blue collar.

My boat cost me $3000. My friend (the one who lives below the poverty line) got his boat free, saving it from the scrap heap, and restored it as his budget permitted. Did a fine job.

I suggest you look into it. Sailing is fun and affordable (buy a used boat!).

Here's my $3k boat. It's about 35 years old. Never had a rich guy aboard to my knowledge.

[madinmaryland]

7. Are they casting asparagus again? Series, this is HUGH!!1!!

[Wapsie B]

9. Former staunch conservative myself.

The minute you start asking questions is the minute that political philosophy unravels. That's why blind obedience and unquestioning loyalty are crucial to that way of life.