A study in irony: 'Guiding Principles' of Free Republic

[LTR]

Trolling around (trying to increase their bandwidth?), I ran across this little gem. And lo and behold - a mission statement!

http://hail.he.net/~danger/freepnet/frnpage.php?page=about

Well, my curiosity was piqued, so I decided to read. I think the clincher for me was seeing, at the top of the page, THIS:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

-- First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States

Hmmm... funny they care so much about "freedom of speech', but are quick to call anyone that disagrees with them 'traitors'. Ironic, isn't it?

Well... Here's a few more gems. Read on!

Guiding Principles

The Free Republic Network believes:


that this nation's framing documents -- the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights -- establish the guiding principles for a just and free people

that government is a double-edged sword -- potentially the greatest champion of the rights of citizens, but also the greatest threat to their freedom. To safeguard against tyranny, we believe Americans should strictly limit the scope of our government to those powers, duties and responsibilities assigned in our Constitution.

that American citizens must educate themselves and engage in civic and political action, to secure Constitutional rights and liberties for themselves, their families, and future generations.

that each of us has a personal obligation to help others overcome misfortune and become productive, and that this work is best accomplished through private rather than public efforts.

If anyone ever needed proof that neocons are the world's biggest hypocrites, here it is!

More? You want MORE?????

Code of Conduct

Network members are asked to abide by our basic Code of Conduct, which includes the following guidelines:


Do not commit, promote or encourage unlawful actions or acts of violence.

Maintain the highest ethical standards in dealing with other organizations.

Maintain courtesy and a professional demeanor.

Well, so much for that!

You freepers must be on crack!

[CO Liberal]

1. Kinda Like "The Wit & Wisdom of George W. Bush"

:-)

[Heddi]

3. holy shit

that must be a quick read, eh?

I'm thinking a tome the size of a fortune-cookie strip....

[LTR]

4. I'll bet it has lots and lots of

colorful pictures!

[Loonman]

2. Well, the Nazi Party members were polite and nice people too

At the dinner table, that is.

[tom_paine]

6. They had a thing for patriotic flag lapels, too...and flags....hoo boy

LOTS of flags.

Totalitarians of all stripes share certain characteristics, Freeps among them.

[LTR]

5. kick for the post DNS attack DUers

:kick:

[LTR]

7. Kick for the evening crowd

I just think it's funny. :)

:kick:

[LoZoccolo]

8. Rights on paper, not in practice.

I see the first amendment as being meant to promote discussion of issues so the best ones and the ones that really benefit the governed get heard. All you need to do is take a look at the most popular figures in the right-wing punditocracy and you'll find that they are so into interrupting, yelling, and coming up with things that their followers can say to inhibit further discussion of issues (I call them "squawks" - things like "they counted the ballots twice already", "we've given him twelve years to disarm", and "well why don't you leave then" that are parroted by people). They'll say they believe in free speech on paper, but they don't practice the principles that the first amendment was meant to promote.

Same with freedom of the press. It doesn't matter as much if you have this right on paper when you've taught everyone that you can just discount anything reported in the media by claiming it's the product of a "liberal bias". The idea is there on paper, but they've severely weakened it in practice.

This sounds more like conservatives hate America, right?

I think deep inside many of them don't realize the importance of these rights as well. I think they think they're luxuries, when really it's these traditions that have allowed us to be flexible and smart as a nation. I believe that the war on dissent is partially responsible for us going headlong into this quagmire in Iraq - the people with better ideas were demonized.