I couldn't agree more. I don't think anyone who posts on FR should have their "opinions" criticized. It's a form of censorship which should be an abomination here on not so "Free"republic.
Trolls should be ignored, errors of fact corrected with sources, but differences of opinion should be welcomed.
This forum was once an amazing resource but it has lost it's luster due to constant haranguing by a few who think they know best. It's now an echo chamber of the chosen. The brilliance has gone elsewhere. But it is still fun to watch those that won't be bullied or silenced stick it out.
This place is just a drive by now for me. I spend more time scrolling past scrolling past walls of text posted by the same people than I do seeking knowledge from a vast range of smart people I may not agree with. I gotta do that elsewhere.
Amen,well said. Third paragraph is spot on.
Just saw this beyond the trees...
At High School Debates, Debate Is No Longer Allowed
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4156094/posts
Uh, the FR of old was a brutal free-for-all. Zotting of trolls, yelps of disgust for opinions/errors, and Lord help you if you posted something that had already been posted.... or posted on one of the Boss’s forbidden subjects.
The religion forum is also quite rough and tumble.
That is the FR I remember.