[quidnunc]

Bob J wrote:

Unfortunately the libertarian vs. conservative thingy led to our first big blowout on FR...the Dec '98 "Night of the Long Knives"...heheh

There have been other nights of the long knives.

A number, myself included, were threatened with banning when we voiced opposition to the political hukster Alan Keyes, who has now left the GOP for the Constitution Party.

This left a bad taste in the mouths of some of the most intelligent Freepers, some of whom decided to go elsewhere.

Some of the damage to Free Republic was self-inflicted.

[Tribune7]

A number, myself included, were threatened with banning when we voiced opposition to the political hukster Alan Keyes,

I'm not sure what the context of your objection was but if it was the Illinois Senate campaign what would have been your point? He was running as a favor to the party. I don't even think he wanted to, and he got some real personal suffering as a result of it.

[jmc813]

A number, myself included, were threatened with banning when we voiced opposition to the political hukster Alan Keyes

Alan Keyes is a friend of this site. When someone makes untrue accusations against him, such as being a "huckster", expect a bad reaction.