I always thought that the # 1 rule was FR is a CONSERVATIVE site. Most of the former posters you are lamenting were anything but IMO.
I considered sending this to you privately, but see no need to hide it from others.....in case they feel the same way.
Look up posts by Peach, Fair Opinion, Celtjew Libertarian, stuned_beeber, liberty4alland4ever, WestVirginiaRebel, AZRepublican and quidnunc (one of his final posts here)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1797149/posts?page=513#513
Also, I am guessing you missed this gem of a post to Quidnunc early on that thread which caused several freepers to opus or just leave quietly:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1821435/posts?page=56#56