Reply #30: I used to frequent freerepublic... [View All]

...there are pros and cons to doing so.

* Many of the folks there are blatantly racist, homophobic, and callous to the point where it raises your blood pressure.
* Many are kind, friendly, jocular folks whom it is a pleasure to interact with.
* Many have minds that are utterly closed to any opposing view.
* Many are willing to debate, and indeed there are many debates, largely based on the dichotomy between statist conservatism and leave-me-alone conservatism.
* I got banned for reasons unclear to me. I obviously spouted liberal views much of the time, but then so did others.
* It is still, to me, probably *the* most interesting community news blog on the Web.