It seems we’ve lost some contributors in the flame wars. Many of the people who helped finish off the freepathons quicker are no longer with us, and we’re left with few contributors and many FReeloaders :(
Not sure what the options are to correct this, but I have to say I’m getting tired of seeing those who cannot get along because of different opinions getting the other person banned because of it. It’s happened to many of my friends...and I miss their input here.
On the same hand, contributing to FR doesn’t make one above the posting rules. I remember several (former) posters from last year who felt that way.
I don’t know how well Free Republic gear would sell (t-shirts, coffee mugs, bumper stickers), but that’s one idea. I don’t like the idea of ads, but that’s another.