I've finally signed up to Free Republic just now in order to say: I admire Shep's coverage of the situation and respect his professional and personal integrity in showing things as they are, stating clearly what the situation is, and still doing what he can to actually help.
He is doing honest reporting - not editorializing or twisting the situation to support a particular agenda, the way the MSM would. Honest reporting does not hide the personal connection of the reporter to the subject, it gives the viewers the objective situation and a personal response to it.
Welcome to Free Republic, Freeper Wife.