← Autodidact Archive · Original Dissent · Faust
Thread ID: 11770 | Posts: 5 | Started: 2004-01-07
2004-01-07 00:26 | User Profile
Notice Regarding Immigration Related Threads
Posted on 01/04/2004 7:55:31 PM PST by Lead Moderator Edited on 01/04/2004 8:43:28 PM PST by Lead Moderator. [history]
Hello everyone.
I've been talking to some long time Freepers via email for several weeks (one in particular). His concern was over the immigration threads and how they turn out on Free Republic.
Many times these threads turn into flame wars. There appears to be a lot of pent up hostility that various factions have developed for each other which ends up coming out, over and over, and the result is that the threads turn into a lot of crap. The moderators get hit with dozens of abuse reports over personal attacks and other silliness. Eventually, it becomes more work than is really worthwhile, and the threads get moved to the backroom so we don't have to deal with it.
This is an OK status quo when it occurs just occasionally. But when it happens frequently, it is not OK. That means that there is a problem.
So we are going to try to fix the problem.
There are sincere people on both sides of the debate who have gotten too into the battle that they are no longer being constructive. The goal will be to help them get back on track.
But we have two groups of people who are completely not sincere.
One group is those who really have no other goal other than to try to fracture conservatives and turn them on each other. One group is those who think that those most concerned with immigration are really just bigots and want to shout them down.
The good news is that both of these groups are very, very small. The bad news is that lots of people are firmly convinced that many of those who are just riled up sincere Freepers are actually part of one of these small groups. In other words, a lot of suspicion of motives has come about.
We're going to have to overcome that.
One of us tried something with a topic which had developed a similar problem, the Creation/Evolution threads. We'll give that type of approach a try for the immigration threads.
So here is what is going to happen. Starting tomorrow, when I see an immigration related thread go up, I am going to post immediately a warning that this would be a very bad thread to engage in insulting or flame baiting. When I see someone ignoring the warning, I'll address them personally telling them to knock it off.
What we need those who are serious about the issue to do is to act responsibly during this time. Engage in debate, without the insults. Post arguments, not ad hominems. Post facts, not innuendos. If you don't like someone, figure out a way to not have it get in the way of your postings. If you want to be disagreeable, do so without being needlessly disrespectful and instigative.
What will happen is, over time with this approach, those who are just trying to stir up crap, and those who are unable to help themselves, will stick out like sore thumbs and will get the axe.
And once that happens, then more direct involvement will not be needed, which I think everyone will agree is the preferred way.
So ping those who you know are interested in debating the topic to this thread, so they can see what is coming.
Thanks
[url]http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1051617/posts[/url]
[QUOTE] [Moderator's note: threads regarding immigration issues and border issues have been spiralling out of control for some time on Free Republic. This is going to change. Fair warning: this would be a very poor thread to engage in flame warring, flame baiting, or otherwise being needlessly instigative. If you have not yet read this thread, you may want to before engaging in the debate on this or other similar threads. If there are any questions regarding the new scrutiny of these threads, please take them to that thread rather than cluttering up these threads.
Up until last night, people had been very cooperative with this effort, and for that I was grateful. Last night, I think there must have been a full moon or something, but we'll get that straightened out.
Thanks, and happy Freeping.][/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]To: hresources
"Can you imagine what some of your produce prices in the Grocery store would be if we had Native Americans demanding $15.00 per hour to pick lettuce?"
Instead of paying at the grocery store, you're paying for it through your state and federal tax withholdings, your payroll tax, your state income taxes, etc. etc. Or do you think the health and education and other benefits for these folks are "free"?
11 posted on 01/06/2004 11:29:08 AM PST by jpl [/QUOTE]
Threads:
Rush Addresses Illegal Alien Issue [url]http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1052687/posts[/url]
Post link and Quotes of FR immigration threads here:
2004-01-07 12:08 | User Profile
Faust,
I'm surprised that they just didn't ban threads on immigration outright the same way they do columns by Sam Francis. I could imagine them coming up with some silly excuse of how this is "diversive" and how we need to rally behind our noble president in his fight against "Islamo-fascists" and, of course, "liberals and democrats!"
2004-01-07 13:55 | User Profile
I have been ivolved with cyber-activism for a considerable time and have been banned by freerepublic.
TPTB have legitimized ad hominum and outrage as a means of discourse and it is paying off. They participate in forums with the intention of disruption and try to elevate the level of emotion as a means of justification for censorship. Their Rabbis must have instructed them all to participate in forums.
I counter their actions by being polite and logical and identifying their tactics. This works in direct proportion to the intellect of the participants. Dull people, like those on freepers and freeconservatives are easily addled by the disruptive tactics of TPTB. Remember you are trying to enlighten the most intelligent among them, just be patient with the rest of the herd. Always use tact and logical reasoning, and never ad hominem or logical fallacies. Stay on the subject and be alert to their moves to change the subject. This is all you can do, don't get frustrated, let the insults roll down your back. Most importantly be there and don't give up, our future depends on it.
2004-01-07 17:06 | User Profile
Travis,
That's right. Nothing infuriates those people off more than when you ignore their smears and instead shove their noses into cold, hard facts. They can't deal with that.
2004-01-11 18:17 | User Profile
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To: TommyUdo What I am saying is these folks ain't going anywhere, I don't care how many guns you got.
So when does the ethnic cleansing of the gringos start?
Oh, that's right, it already has
But when we're all gone from Atzlan, who's gonna pay welfare to your compadres?
95 posted on 01/10/2004 11:45:51 PM PST by WackyKat [ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 87 | View Replies ]
To: WackyKat "the ethnic cleansing of the gringos" has started?
Pardon me for pointing this out, but that is a bit nuts.
Regards
162 posted on 01/11/2004 5:51:39 AM PST by Lead Moderator [ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 95 | View Replies ]
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[url]http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1055622/replies?comment=95[/url]
FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
Uhh...it's called White flight, you moron. Google lists more than four million sites that mention it so I think it's been pretty widely discussed. Where's RimJob getting these clueless moderators from, Tel Aviv? WackyKat's been banned, of course.