I am pleased to read some of your comments. It was indeed a very Lord of the Flies episode. The mob mentality was was embarrassing and I was hammered because I was simply asking for some measure of civility. Later, I defended a long-standing FReeper friend who got banned (Peach) and who remains a dear friend to this day. That really brought the fangs out. (To those who want to bash her now, please don't. She is gone from this forum and can't defend herself and I won't revisit or debate the matter.) And the mob is quicker to emerge than ever. Let some poor SOB suggest that they aren't convinced Sarah has the credentials to be President and you will see it instantly.
After that thead, I did not post on FR for 14 months. Now I only occassionally do. Prior to that, I had started nearly 1,100 threads of (I hope) interesting articles pertaining to our general conservative perspective. I know of numerous people who left on their own (respectfully, I won't name them)- either temporarily or permanently. There are those on the banned list who I respect enormously and their departure diminished FR. RadioAstromomer is a bona fide scientist and his science commentary was nearly always brilliant and understandable, for example.
I wish that thread had never been started. And that is all I will have to say on the matter.
I hope everyone has a blessed Christmas. And let's please focus on 2010!!
I was reading back on some of RadioAstonomer’s posts - I have no idea why he was banned. Very smart man with some interesting observations.
What a shame.
I know EXACTLY how you feel, man. Happened yesterday on this thread. A mob action attack by a pack of feral dogs, and I still can’t figure what I did to warrant it.
“Attack newbies for fun! Bring your friends! Make sure everyone gets in a good kick now! Wheeee!!!!”
Mighty strange way to build support for your party.