In short, as the lead moderator, I don’t like having to wipe up after the children here.
Well put. One thing very new I have noticed, and it troubles me greatly, is the tendency to brutalize anyone who doesn't automatically run with the pack, and then turn around and hit the "abuse" button on them for the sole reason that they do not agree with what the poster has posted. In my four years of Freeping I have never seen this kind of behavior, and it is a sad commentary on the state of conservative debate. It is the liberals who try to silence others.
But there are some here who rush to hit "abuse" not because someone violated the guidelines, but rather simply because they don't like what the person is saying. That is nanny state mentality, and a disgrace to the good name "Free Republic." Hats off to all of you who work to keep things running here.
... is often a means to get rid of someone who is seriously hurting the stance of someone. We are on to that ruse, as well as the bait and complain sham. There is also the 'rush to deal with abuse' - one problem I personally have encountered is the failure to read far enough, and see these little scams goind on. But, as we learn more about them, I hope all moderators will keep a sharp eye peeled for them, and avoid these kinds of things.