[Billthedrill]

Uh huh. There was a time when you could hold a substantive discussion of this sort of thing on FR. I used to enjoy those threads. Judging from your own join-up date you may never have seen them unless you lurked for quite awhile prior.

The topic of sensory apparatus in animals is quite interesting, actually - I'm sure you agree or you wouldn't have posted this one. Now take a look at how long it took to - shall I dare to use the word "evolve"? - let's say "veer" into the familiar swamp of creationism/evolution/intelligent design. Not the five posts I predicted - precisely one. One post. That's what I'm complaining about.

[djf]

It seems there has been quite a degradation of quality lately. Brazen personal attacks, attempts to hijack threads, non sourced or flat out erroneous info...

And I have seen flat out cruelty. I mean, really mean spirited people who seem to want their name in lights while they skewer someone.

Many of the intellectuals and political theorists have left.

Not the FR I remember from the late 90's.

[Do Be]

Free Republic is a little like the United States of America.

It has been a noble experiment and was once a beacon for men who love freedom.

[ASA Vet]

There was a time when you could hold a substantive discussion of this sort of thing on FR

That must have been in the year between us.
The thread hijackings have been occurring ever since I've been here.
I've suggested a "science forum" where threads like this can be posted.
I don't think it would be effective though unless there was enforcement by a science forum mod.
It does make me wonder if the science folks ever go to the religion forum to attempt hijackings.