I've watched this story unfold over the past few days on Free Republic and tried, to the best of my ability, to understand the various comments on various threads about these tragic events.
Two observations, for what they are worth:
Everything about this story has been driven by a handful of print media reports. In truth and by every standard of objective inquiry no one here on Free Republic or even in Ohio KNOWS what occurred that night. The people who participated in the event do not completely KNOW what happened that night. The undignified exchanges between various individuals on this topic have done NOTHING to bring any insight to a necessary debate. I see very little separation between the irrationality of the events in Ohio and the discussion of those events on this forum.
A second observation: Be very careful for what you wish -it may be granted. Random, summary ad homeniem dismissals of events from afar have a funny way of bouncing back to people who generate them. YOU are a member of group of people who are widely known as "Freepers". Freepers have a mixed reputation around the country and around the world. At some point the muddlestream press may take it into their heads to engage an all out assualt upon the group of people known as "Freepers". At such time every action and every advantage may be used to denigrate and embarrass and destroy this group known as "Freeper". Think carefully, many Freepers who post to this forum are not exactly photogenic. They do not always use the best language and their thoughts are not always completely coherent. Nevertheless, they are accepted as part of this forum and they can be used to destroy it if necessary.
For what it is worth.
Best regards,