You know what amazes me the most about the Republicans?

[abrock]

Their ability to immediately spot, and silence, any voice of reason.

You all know me, I'm a moderate independent, strongly leaning toward Kerry for this election because of the failings of the Bush administration and because of the extremism that has dominated the Republican party during the last... forever. I read the Free Republic website sometimes, to see what the Republicans are thinking about any given issue, because reading the opinions of only one side does not present a clear picture, and I firmly believe in getting both sides to every story. This morning I read a thread on their forums about the current "Topic of the Hour", namely, the little girl who supposedly (nobody has yet proven she was ever holding it) had her Bush/Cheney sign torn up by one or more democrats at the John Edwards rally. I was rather disturbed to see the Republicans at this site proclaiming "the ugly face of the democratic party", and that "he was one of the many hundreds of 'hired goons' who are paid to fill out the crowd at Kerry/Edwards rallies". I decided to interject a quiet voice of reason, to attempt to bridge the gap on the issue between the parties, with the following post:

"What was done at the Edwards rally was indeed inexcusable, but I think we can all agree that a father using their child as a political tool is also inexcusable. Republican or Democrat, we should neither exploit children nor treat them harshly for such an action, as children that young have no idea what they are doing, and are not responsible for their actions.

We all believe in free speech, don't we? What about the ladies who were manhandled out of the Bush rally earlier this week, one having her hair pulled violently? Also, tonite a woman who lost her son in Iraq was dragged from Mrs. Bush's event and arrested for protesting, but I don't see any of you furious about that, either. Do we really have a double standard for free speech in the United States; free speech as long as you agree with what is being said?"

I got my answer within 30 minutes. This reasonable post was immediately deleted, and my account was banned.

Would someone posting that on the Democratic Underground, but with the opinions reversed, have been banned? Of course not, but then, I think that is the real difference in the United States today, and I thank the Free Republic for showing it to me so clearly:

Part of this country does not want to be free. They want laws imposed which reflect their way of life onto everyone else, and they want to make sure people with opposing viewpoints are either marginalized or silenced.

These are the Republicans of today, and they are a dangerous group, because, as any student of history will tell you, such direction only leads to ruin.

[trumad]

1. "strongly leaning toward Kerry"

Whaaa...there's still a chance you won't vote for him?

[abrock]

3. The only way I'd vote for Bush is if...

John Kerry and John Edwards BOTH died and were replaced with someone even worse than Bush.

Possible, just not very likely. :)

[trumad]

4. SO your voting for JK?

[abrock]

7. Of course. I made up my mind a long time ago. Bush has to go.

That doesn't mean, however, that I don't agree with the Republican party on some issues.

I just happen to disagree with the way they handle EVERYTHING these days. Its almost like we're 2 steps away from The Fascist States of America.

[TexasLady]

2. Right~!

and what is also sad and scary is the news reports that IRAQ?! is headed for civil war!? Some folks cant see the forest for the trees.

Sometimes I think we are 'in big trouble, mister.."

[BootinUp]

5. Nice post

I have never posted at the freerepublic site. I could see myself mingling there in a less politically divisive time, and trying to bring reason to the arguments like you did. But I don't feel like reasoning with the other side right now. We have to kick their asses this time. We can reason with them after we retake the Senate and the WH. If you feel yourself swaying back to Bush, tell us why and lets discuss it.

[abrock]

8. No no no no, don't get me wrong.

I wasn't there because I'm 'swinging back to Bush' -- I read the other point of view as often as I can to get a balanced picture of events.

And you know what? Both sides are extremely biased, but their side is usually both biased and wrong. Thats the problem.

[BootinUp]

10. Ok

I see you have clarified your position on Bush, heh. As far as bias goes, bias is the result of not having facts to base decisions on. It is very difficult to know these days what are facts and what is spin. So I commend your efforts to sort it out.

[liberal N proud]

6. If I understand part of your article Part of this country...

That gives me a great comeback every time some tell me they are republican. "So you do not want to be free?"
Then I can start in on all the Civil Liberties they are loosing.
Of course it will fall on deaf ears with most of them.

[no_hypocrisy]

9. IMO, it's not that the republicans don't like logic. It's that they like

so many other tools in order to win. They don't want a fair fight. They even don't want to beat Kerry. They want to destroy him and any democrat who isn't Zell Miller.

Here's a link to a site that describes some favorite anti-debate tactics, including the Institute for Propaganda Analysis.

http://www.propagandacritic.com/

[Pachamama]

11. True Republicans, who know what the Republican Party stand for of Past

...ie. fiscal conservatism, keeping big government out of their private lives, civil liberties etc. are not happy with Bush. My own father and other "true" Republicans, as opposed to Sheeple, Christian Fundies or Neo-cons who have "hijacked" and taken control of the Republican platform, do not represent them. I know atleast 20 life-long GOP members who voted for GW in 2000 who will be staying home or voting at least for the Libertarian candidate, staying closer and truer to their real "values" than what they ware getting in George W. Bush.

The people "leading" today's Republican Party and their supporters, are very dangerous which is why so many people, like myself are so concerned. My family originates from Germany and emigrated here as a result of WWII. They escaped Nazi Germany and resisted the Nazis. I have a great Uncle who died because of his "questioning" of Nazi Politics. So many of the things my grandparents and family taught me about Germany and the rise of the Nazi Party resonates with the fascist themes of todays "Republican Party" and George W. Bush. Very scary stuff indeed, make no mistake about it.