Replies

I have thought and said that the main page forum has suffered from the effects of what I call the daily girl thread, the Trump Rally thread, that can not be found by newcomers and acts as a hidden site within a site, shrinking posting volume of heavier mainstream columns and articles that attract and could grow FR, affecting interest, engagement and the old tradition of wall to wall news coverage. I think it shows in shrinkage of quality and quantity of the main forum, where it matters to new eyes as well as members. If the thread were daily SIDE BARRED at least, it might help, although readers prefer to see titles, not sidebar backrooms, if you know what I mean. Bad marketing, when all the need is on the opening forum page and the energy is hidden on some thread no newcomer can find. Political junkies and men are less interested in receipes and food photos which should be placed like the “Gardening Thread”, but the political news and comments should be engaged on the main forum where the purpose of FREE REPUBLIC used to reside. My friendly rant. 😍