Good points you raise.
I've seen this sort of stuff thrown at talk radio for years- a person who hates both the format and host listens just long enough to hear something that riles him,. tunes out at that point, and yells foul. Forever- we had a poster bring up something Rush did 14 years ago, recently.
The talk show host who most accurately mirrors my own views- Ken Hamblin- said years ago, "you have to listen every day, for two or three weeks, or a month, to have any idea what the show or the host stand for."
Websites are no different- unless you follow everything, everyday, it's easy to cherry-pick one thing that rings your chimes, in a disagreeable fashion, and run with that, shouting "hate."
I've been here seven years, and it's a good site.
Cherrypicking—yes, I saw that particular show, and of the THOUSANDS of messages posted here, they came up with, if memory serves, THREE—and of those three, two were completely bogus (taken from articles people had posted from MSM), and one was mostly bogus (someone’s attempt at humor that didn’t quite work).
Thanks, backhoe. I’m coming close to my 7 year anniversary as well — 7 years as of Sept. 14! And, I agree it’s a GREAT site. I can’t tell you how much I have learned here, and how many FRiends I have made. It is the FARTHEST thing from a hate site — even on contentious threads as long as one remains respectful in explaining their views. Back when I was still a Libertarian I had offline friends who asked me how in the world I could post here — it’s easy when you remain respectful! (I will admit I’m a lot more conservative — and religious — now though. Perhaps, that is what they were afraid of! LOL)
I have seen my share of trolls and inappropriate comments, but they were always dealt with VERY quickly as soon as someone bothers to report via the ABUSE button! I’ve never been on another site that responds so quickly. Although, FReepers have to actually REPORT the comments instead of just wringing their hands, and retorting in thread! Also, these reporters don’t bother looking at the replies to a certain post to SEE that other FReepers have basically strung-up and run out of town those posters who were prone to these horrific comments! After all, that wouldn’t suit their purposes.
Ken Hamblin explained it very well about not just listening to one particular show to judge it. Very wise words, and thanks for sharing them!