The whole Zot thing has always been silly. Anyone who is kicked off can come right back with a new name and IP address.
The FR has definitely changed from its early glory days. A new user interface would help. And the money soliciting is tiresome.
It costs money to run something like this.
I look at the cost as having a fresh newspaper every time I click the link. And I’d rather the money spent on a newspaper go to a cause I support. Free Republic is my #1 site I go to.
Monthly donor here plus a bonus some times.