It's the present incarnation of what was originally known as "The Free Republic Lifeboat." - It is something that will always exist, as there will always be those who buck the powers that be, here at FR, and get banned for whatever length of time Jim sees as appropriate, and need a place to go to lick their wounds. (I was once one their retched number)
Who cares? - Those who are over there simmering, and few else. - Some will get over it, and some will not. Those who wish to be in any way effective will return, since while they are there, they are invisible.