Free Republic, to me, is like a giant political rally with hundreds of discussions, disagreements, angry fights, quiet intellectual seminars, etc, all going on at one time and you can join in, if you dare, at any of them. Even with the thousands who do join in, you come to recognize and appreciate the regulars whether you agree with them or not.
Then there are the smaller forums, like the one at IronPants.com, which is more like a small town diner where regulars get together several times a day to discuss whatever is happening in the world, and voice their concerns and frustrations, and they are delighted to welcome the views of drop-ins or new immigrants.
I hop over to Lucianne often, first to check out "ShortCuts" which is always a treat, but also to see what articles have been posted that I've missed. A few very nasty posters pretty much made it imperative over there to ban chatting, but Lucianne has a regular weekend thread where the regulars can let it all hang out. Not much flaming going on there, though. What I so appreciate and cherish about all the news forums, but especially FR, is the opportunity for discussion and argument. I feel more free to say exactly what I think, admit my ignorance, share my knowledge, etc, in these forums than in any other life situation. And nowhere else do I find such a variety of opinion on every subject. For all of that I am eternally grateful.