Sounds like Elon wants to make money.
Twitter now gives a blue checkmark to anybody willing to pay $5/mo for the service. I might sign up shortly for that.
Free Republic should do something like that. Charge a nominal monthly fee in exchange for a "checkmark" or some other recognition on their profile. Seems a small and insignificant thing but many people will pay it for the status symbol alone. I know I was motivated to pay $30/mo here to be in the "dollar a day club" but that seems to have fallen by the wayside.
Would certainly cut down on or eliminate the constant Freepathons.
I'm thinking there is a legal reason Free Republic can't do that however. Too bad.