I understand that emotions are at an all time high. In almost 5 years here, I have never seen anything that has divided us to such a degree.
You weren't bad compared to some of the really nasty things that some people have said to each other. I too have been guilty, but that's one thing that 5 years can usually get you here, an0ther 5 years. LOL
I am lucky in that I have been to FR events for longer than I have been a poster and have actually met and got to know literally hundreds of FReepers. There are a lot of great folks here and BobJ is top notch in all regards. What he has done for FR and liberty in general is something that we should all aspire to (even as I still try to get his mind right on just one teeny aspect of this where we disagree a bit).
Not wanting to cause one guy a heart attack, I won't mention his name, but I find myself agreeing with one poster that I think is a major jerk 99.99% of the time. It may never happen again, but I have a bit of respect for him now that I never had before. On the other hand, some people have really disappointed me. There position is bad enough, but their crude, mocking taunts are not worthy of this site.
Again, welcome. Enjoy and learn.
"In almost 5 years here, I have never seen anything that has divided us to such a degree."
Elian...that was a doozy.
You said it. I've been here nearly 5 years as well, and I've never seen an issue bring out as much anger and rudeness in such a normally fine group of people. I suspect many of these people will be very embarrassed by their comment's if they have the opportunity to look back on them in a few years. People here simply do not deserve the names, insults and condemnation that many here have been dishing out.