Some of the serious posters are first rate, but there's a group of vipers waiting for someone to post comments which don't toe their party line. As this thread proves a civil dialogue can be informative. Hang in there, 90% of the folks here are worth engaging.
And there's always inside agent provocateurs defending trolls any chance they get.
Like you did here:
"It was a post worth discussing. For my money, we have a hair trigger around here."
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1542277/posts?page=232#232
You're agreeing with the troll, in essencec saying that FR censors.
"I guess some of you are not smart enough to take him on on the issues. Meooooooooooooow!"
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1542277/posts?page=262#262
How can one 'take him on on issues' if the troll isn't given free reign?