[GretchenM]

I found FR in 1998 and my observation is that FR was MUCH more personally hostile when blubba and his WINO were terrorizing America, and that it is vastly more civil around here since W's first election.

Blog-referencing, well, blogs are a new thing but FReepers have always touted their own web sites outside of FR.

Also, I still see people having to cite their sources or be called on the carpet, with their assertions negated.

[anniegetyourgun]

I must agree - it's less personally hostile than it used to be. Unlike this zotted poster, I think much of that can be attributed to the increased vigilance and reorganization of the mods. They have a tough job and yet, they do it well.

My only complaint these days has been the number of new folks (not trolls, which we will have have some of from time to time) who don't post articles, but instead post any mental hiccup they have. It's not the purpose of the forum.