The problem though: what do some of those "strongly expressed opinions" look like to outsiders?
I'll tell you: they look deranged. "They" didn't need to do any demonizing -- a relatively small crowd of very loud FReepers did all the work. "They" just needed to find it and show it to the world.
Baloney.
In the eyes of lefties and liberals, a conservative should not be allowed to speak against the illegal immigrant invasion. If they do, the lefties and liberals will scream racism.
In the eyes of lefties and liberals, a conservative should not be allowed to speak against abortion. If they dare to do so, the lefties and liberals will scream misogyny.
In the eyes of lefties and liberals, conservatives should not be allowed to speak against the homosexual agenda. If they do, the lefties and liberals will scream homophobia.
In the eyes of lefties and liberals, conservatives should not be allowed to speak.
Period.
One last thing... How often have you hit the abuse button on the comments that you judge to be "deranged?"