I don't think it is a putdown, but I think they have the wrong idea on what FR is. FR is a forum, not a blog. As I understand it, a blog is a journal written by a personality for others to read, while forums are more interactive and enable an almost unlimited number of people to communicate back and forth.I am glad that we are still celebrating the difference. I would hate for FR to change into a BLOG on steroids; a big ongoing vanity.
I have no use for blogs. A varied source of news and commentary suits me just fine.
I do not like BLOGS either.
The Free Republic is definitely a FORUM.