The counts aren't the point. In many cases, people who are afraid to speak out will shimmy a statement they may be afraid to post themselves. That's their voice you see.
Yes, a lot of these posts crossed the line. A lot didn't - they just stepped over the Rainbows and Puppies line. If everyone just came on here and made a happy-face statement, wouldn't we lose something? It would just be a long string of words. Like signing the book at a funeral parlor with rubber-stamp condolences. If ONE post makes someone think from a different perspective, a forum is successful. That doesn't mean they agree, just that they consider the viewpoint. Everyone learns.
I just read an old post, a young man who opened up here about something personal. 48 shimmies tells me he knew how many people supported him, even if they aren't 'posters'. That's an extreme example, but hopefully puts a different spin on the shimmys thing.