Yes, I do agree that sad things are often necessary. It’s always been that way. In this particular case, of course I don’t agree that it was necessary. We’ve been all over this already, and I think you’ll agree that there’s no point in me rehashing it, unless of course my motivation wasn’t clear.
There has been a lot of talk that we have to play by Jim’s rules when we’re in Jim’s home, which is undeniable and is as it should be. But Freerepublic has been not just Jim’s home, but all our homes, in most cases for years, by Jim’s intent in my opinion. He built it for us, I think. I haven’t made up my mind how I view Freerepublic at this point in time, but I’m pretty sure I’ll never see it in quite the same way. I’m probably not alone in this. Time will tell.
Not alone at all. It's unfortunate that it had to come to this, because it's sad to watch people turn on their allies while struggling vainly against a frustrating, encroaching reality. I've got deep reservations about Rudy, but all things considered, he's really no more or less conservative or liberal than President Bush. Odds are pretty high the guy's going to be our next President. So what does banning and purging his supporters accomplish, other than to put FR out of touch, and make it look like we can't handle a reasonable debate?
If the only solution to dealing with Rudy supporters on FR is to simply remove a large swath of them, what's the plan for dealing with them outside? Wait for Fred to ride to the rescue? What if he doesn't? What if he rides in and loses? What happens if Fred rides along side of Rudy, and takes the VP slot? Mass suicide? Un-ban all of the lost FReepers? Ban Fred supporters?
It's all so short sighted and tragic to see a great debating forum overrun by this backslapping, high fiving mentality. Especially since it's not going to change anything except drive good FReepers away or underground, and make outsiders think we're a torch-and-pitchfork wielding mob.