A couple of years ago, at that annual Conservative conference in Washington, that individual went on record with reporters speaking for Free Republic. It caused quite a dust up. All complaints were deflected with the words "Talk to JimRob, he authorized me to speak for him." This person went on during that time to vehemently denounce any suggestion that FR was any kind of conservative force to be reckoned with - all the signs were there that this person had no love for FR as we understand love of our work or our causes. It was a power thing. From that thread - I made a note to myself that something like what you described in your post would be an inevitability.
God bless. And thanks for all you do. You remain always one of my heroes, and an invaluable mentor. I hope I can be of some kind of FRN service, however limited, in the future.
HB