The purges have begun. Be careful what you post, who you ping, or who you get into an argument with.
Having said that, it's ironic that until recently, I lived a stone's throw from Redondo. I will be unable to make it.
"Purges? We don' need no steenking purges!"
I will assume that Mr. Robinson's statement that this is a conservative forum remains true. Members should have no reason to operate in a climate of fear, provided that they keep their posts to a PG-13 standard while refraining from stalking and overt harassment.
Intimidation and fear are the hallmarks of the politically correct fascists over at DU(h), not Free Republic. Four out of the hundreds of regular posters on illegal immigration subjects have been recently banned or suspended, and I hear that they may have pushed beyond the bounds of civility (the thread has been pulled so I can't see for myself).
I take this as a reminder that there is a line between disagreement and slander. It also reminds me that the humorless and oversensitive are legion and can't discern tweaking from a personal attack on their integrity. So be it - it's not "our" house, therefore we must (and should) abide by the rules of our host.
It is a tribute to our intelligence and civility that we restrain ourselves like we do while putting up with the vilest accusations and outright lies on a regular basis. Please continue to stay the high road and express your opinions and ideas. They're the stuff real progress is built on.
-NRT (aka Mikel)
You're not kidding. I'm amazed at the number of familiar names that have suddenly been booted.