This is why I am, generally, very welcoming of newbies. The times of struggle not only bring fellow conservatives into the forum, the difficult times also bring the worms out from under their rocks. Unless it is clearly obvious, I do not automatically assume that a newbie is a troll. A lot of genuine conservatives have signed on recently and yes, it is unfortunate that they get hazed along with the liberal trolls.
There is no sure fire way to separate the wheat from the chaff. Thick skin, patience, state your views intelligently and coherently...it all helps.
I agree, who can be trusted when there is a rapid growth?
Well, I think it all comes out in the wash, sooner or later you see the stains, don't you?
But we aren't stained UNTIL you notice it.
So if hazing is the way it is here, I will still refuse to sit back and watch people tell others to "take a hike". And I suppose I'll get attacked every time for it, but that's part of having integrity, now, isn't it?