Looking back, I'd probably change my screen name if I didn't have a 5 year history here. I have a rather distinct posting style, so it's not worth changing it now. I'm not a high profile poster, but I have at times let frustration get the best of me on some posts that have had unprofessional language that I generally would not have used in person.
I have to agree with what you posted and add one thing I always assumed since being on here. Anybody can be anybody on the net. MD4BUSH could be an O'Malley Staffer. I'm sure there are staffers here. Most probably don't post. I've read DU and Kos - mostly for scouting Reports.
It's not surprising that the democrats have trolls here(I'm not referring to the obvious disruptors). I'm sure some here troll the dems too. I know some pro-gunners that trolled an anti gun conferences. In my experience, they are probably the best at trolling.
I don't post the inside stuff here (unless authorized). I'll just say that when I was doing campaign work, any inside information was discarded through a shredder so the dems don't find anything if they rummage through the trash. I'm sure they do the same thing.
Lastly, the nastiest political battles I've ever seen or have been involved in were not partisan related, but office/internal politics. I almost got in a court battle with an organization of which, I used to be the PAC treasurer.(takeovers, etc). It's not fun, but it happens.
FR has its own share of internal politics and scorned startup sites in response which hate FR. Take out the lead dog, and you're number one, and those unaware may get crossfired. It's not personal against that poster(although the site), but it's a simple battle of the pecking order. There are those also who want to be the "star" on this site as well and would step on the toes of others in order to do so.
Everybody has an agenda. That can be good for the site, bad for the site, or somewhere in between.
I made that point yesterday on the thread (that has since been removed) and received a threatening freepmail this am.
Dan from Michigan, you have hit the nail on the head as well. During some of the debates on some issues, things get VERY heated. One thing about DC - you have people who will take someone out just to settle a score; even if they agree on 90+% of the issues. I know on a few threads, I've gotten into heated arguments - I will make no apologies for calling things as I saw them at the time, but I am willing to let some bygones be bygones.
One of the oldest motives in history has been revenge, aka payback, for a real (or perceived) slight. It's arguably the motive for Cain killing Abel. In succeeding with things like SoreLoserman (thank you, Registered) and Rathergate (credit to Buckhead) - both of which stopped the Left cold in efforts to defeat President Bush, Free Rrepublic has made powerful enemies in the "Old Media" and DNC. The media and the DNC had it coming, in my opinion - and both were shining examples of what heights Free Republic can reach. However, reaching those heights came at the expense of some powerful folks with big egos, and their agendas. This means that Free Republic's going to be in the crosshairs.
We should not be afraid to fight the Left, but at the same time, I also will argue that it is prudent to look at where Free Republic might be vulnerable to attacks from these enemies, and take steps to reduce or eliminate that vulnerability.
Oh, please don't do that........LOL. I'm thinking of picking a "cut off date" and not posting to anybody after that........LOL.