I'm still failing to see the difference between posting a link to an item in free stuff here, which leads to an off site host, and posting a direct link to the item.

So what that the file in free stuff has been tested and approved by staff. The fact of the matter remains that  the file is hosted off site no matter which way you look at it, and the person can very easily change the file after it's been accepted, which totally defeats the entire purpose.

"It is good to see ourselves as others see us. Try as we may, we are never
able to know ourselves fully as we are, especially the evil side of us.
This we can do only if we are not angry with our critics but will take in good
heart whatever they might have to say." - Ghandi