[8mmMauser]

What we had was a pack of posters who shone as sparkling and nice pro-FreeRepublic supporters, on display on freepathons and similar topics, so all could see how nice they were. Behind the scenes, they rallied for ruthless attacks on hapless true conservatives, sometimes tag teaming them to the point of bursting. They they would spring the traps to try to get them zotted. I would spot the team in action as a happy bunch of middle-of-the-road posters one moment and at the next watch the team shred victims in threads pushed to the smoky backroom where few witnessed. Watch a National Geographic on hyenas catching a baby antelope.

I would describe their standard technique in analogy of two little sisters facing momma. One is smiling and reaches around and gives a good pinch to her sister. When the sister reacted with a squeal, the perp would look in innocent shock and momma would punish the vic.

I rarely engaged that pack, but did indeed witness. I hold no animosity towards the departed, just gratitude they are gone.

8mm

[rockrr]

You described it very accurately. I walked into one of their swarms and came close to the edge myself. Ironically, three of the four little jackals are now former FReepers.

It was the first time in five years that one of my posts was deleted by the mods (because I was baiting one of the trolls) and my wakeup call to their strategy. I was luckier than most.

From what I can see, the more notorious of the agitators are now history and, with the exception to some whining by their enablers, things are settling back. There is some continuing resentment to the recent events and I suppose that they will carry that for a while.

Amazingly, I still see on other threads a reference to this one followed by a gasp of surprise a “I didn’t know they were banning people!” response. I guess that should tell us something about the size and depth of the FreeRepublic community.

It’s been quite a ride!