Actually, Corin, you're wrong. They have changed alot of things. They have succeeded at making FR a shrill, angry, and unwelcoming website where people are intimidated into not posting and, frankly, leaving. Jim will feel it at the next Freepathon, and after almost nine years here....that's a pretty huge change and a pretty sad state of affairs.
You have a point there.
It seems to me that they are encouraged to act like that. So go figure? As long as you answer correctly on all the right litmus test questions - you are free to be as much of a creep on this site as you please.
If a had a buck for every time I've seen the Rooty Rooters holding donations over Jim's head, I could at least buy a nice steak dinner. With a good bottle of wine.
Your first part is bull's eye accurate and we'll have to see what happens come April's FReepathon, but I suspect you're right about that too, judging from my mail. Sickening and sad.
Impotent keyboard warriors --- filled with hate and all too happy to take down FR since they can't put a dent into candidates they hate.
You're right, it's become an unwelcome place. I post very little about this campaign because I don't want to deal with the sheer volume of noise... It's a nasty, pointless debate that brings me no joy.
I like Rudy, I don't know the other contenders as well, but I detest most of their most vocal followers here, so that doesn't help. I have no interest in either attacking or defending myself against constant attack from fellow conservatives. Come election time, I'll vote for the best candidate. Hopefully we will all do that without having having to step over those on our 'own side' who have fallen from friendly fire just trying to get to the election. We'll wish we had them with us then.
I see that viewership of FR is down about 22% over the past few months. The shrillness has been, I would think, the main reason for this. Civil debate is one thing, but the hyperventaliating and name-calling has driven a lot of people away. If the owners here were really concerned about the future of this forum, you'd think they'd reign-in some of what's been going on, even if they happen to agree with the position of the spleen-venters. There are appropriate ways to voice an opinion. Much of what we see from the anti-Rudy crowd doesn't measure up to those ways.
If you want to plug a liberal candidate on a conservative website, expect to pick up some flack. Many of the concerns about Bush expressed in FR in 1999 and 2000 came to pass - especially the rampant growth of government due to his compassionate conservatism.
And your side ain't exactly clean as well regarding their tactics. In fact, some have been downright despicable with their unsubstantiated attacks on Hunter. Throw in the general disrespect of many core conservative positions, and you have all the ingredients for a flame war.
Both sides have gone way overboard in attacking other posters.
But as regards candidates, if you can't stand someone calling your choice names, this probably isn't the place for you.