Welcome from the dark side Kilborn. :)
My guess you came to Free Republic because you want to learn something. Free Republic sure beats a steady diet of drivel.
Lurk a while, follow hyperlinks, and you'll be changing your tag line.
I second that, Kilborn. I hope you stick around, keep an open mind too, and learn something other than what you're reading on other websites, and getting from the national media. You'll be amazed in a short time. But keep an open mind.