[shibumi]

"As for local customs, before my first post, I visited this site many times for years. It's an excellent site. What you find is many threads contain an excerpt and link."

What you obviously missed is why those excerpts and links are there. The excerpt feature is there to permit the inclusion of articles from hostile sources, who have threatened FR with legal action if their full content was used.

"Then when you post a thread it very obviously welcomes excerpting and linking."

No, it does not. It provides the means and tolerates it out of necessity.

"Maybe I'm misinterpreting things. If a moderator tells me not to post or to do so in a different manner, I will gladly follow their instructions."

Did you read the posts I linked in #16?

[billflax]

I did read the links. Thank you for sending.

But, you act as if my intent some devious desire to wreck Free Republic. No, I post here because it’s a wonderful site. My aim is to spread a message amongst an audience that may enjoy it. To boost Free Republic to the little extent within my very finite capacities and to support my editor at Forbes.

Nor is Forbes some wordpress blog unworthy of Free Republic standards. It’s one of the most reputable names in the industry. Whether you think my work worthy of Forbes is irrelevant. I’d be the first to admit I’m more lucky than good. It’s surreal. But acting as if Forbes is some fly by night operation is absurd

That Forbes went to a blog format was a business decision made far above me. I’m not even paid. As a consumer, I’m sure they value your opinion. If you want to give them publishing advice, well, methinks Mr. Forbes knows more on that score than anyone here - me included.

God bless you!

Bill