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.The place has developed a particular neo-con/Bushie mindset just as entrenched as the liberals on some issues and stands just as ready to silence opposition to that mindset even when it comes from well meaning conservatives

I also agree with this statement, respectfully. As this can be a very dangerous trend for this forum in several different ways.

At one time, I was banned under another name, for what I believe was completely unjust. It may have been a simple misinterpretation of my position. I don't know and probably will never discover what actually triggered the action against me. However I must say that after privately corresponding with Jim Robinson via email and explaining my position, I was reinstated. And I sincerely appreciate that fairness.

That being stated, I feel the Free Republic *is* the premier news and talk forum on the entire internet if not the entire planet.

After being a regular visitor and subscriber on the Free Republic for approximately four years now, (two of those years were under another name) I have found that newspapers and television and other main stream media fall far behind this forum in regards to breaking news stories, follow-ups, creative people, and the debates. And, all of this with some degree of humor. I am very confident that we have some of the funniest damn people in the nation posting on this forum. And in this stressful environment we all live in, the humor is a nice ice breaker.

Long live the Free Republic. Good luck to all my fellow American patriots and freedom fighters against big government. And finally, I would like to see the support for the Free Republic remain voluntary and I will contribute when I possibly can.

Joe Hadenuf

>>...just as entrenched as the liberals on some issues and stands just as ready to silence opposition to that mindset even when it comes from well meaning conservatives
>I also agree with this statement, respectfully.

I've never understood what people mean when they say this.

"Silence opposition?" Other than getting banned -- which happens very rarely -- how in the world can anyone be "silenced" in a public forum? Sure, people get called names. Sure people get laughed at. But that doesn't tie their fingers together and stop them from typing. [shrugs] Heck, even when people get ganged up on it's just a metaphorical thing -- even _that_ doesn't squash their hands and stop them from typing.

Heck, I've had the legalize it crowd turn on me. So what? I once spoke out against the Viet Nam war in a soldier's thread and dealt with the consequences of that. People can't reach out of the screen and break your fingers! I'm still typing.

In a computer forum, nobody "silences" anyone. I just don't get it.

Mark W.

While reading all of the posts about banning, I wondered why those banned and wanting to return didn't just swallow their pride and get a new name and return. Perhaps it is because they enjoy their user name's persona and believe they won't be able to recapture it under another label. Also, changing the user name is recommended by FR isn't it? I do so from time to time. I appreciated your post tho I really don't know what all the fuss is about other than ego. Conservatives are quite prideful and thats a plus when defending our cause but can be the downfall of an otherwise sincere and rightous person. FREE REPUBLIC not only needs to survive, it HAS to. Not all lurkers and posters are ideological. They just want to keep up with our side of the news and feel like they are among like minded country men. Glad you came back.