One of the things that I most love about this place is the openess and ability to get along with other members. The Wayside, Exhibition, and Sexuality are some of the obvious places where it's clear people know how to be supportive and keep negativity to themselves.
Sadly, there are some forums where that isn't the case. Politics, as an example. The mods labor mightily to keep the peace there, and kudos to them. But the lines are gray, and people are often rude* in some sly ways. Implying someone is unpatriotic, btw, is rude.
I just read the 'President Ronald Reagan is Dead at 93' thread. And am unable to be silent. Out of respect for that thread, I'm starting my own.
The point: someone shared an unpopular opinion in the thread, and received an accusation of being a troll, and two very personal attacks.
Whether the poster was a troll, or not, is certainly debatable. Also debatable are the merits of responding to a (perceived) troll and creating an un-needed debate. But the rudeness is, IMHO, worse by far than sharing an opinion (that everyone is entitled to).
MY PLEA: can't we all just get along? Can we ask ourselves if this thread is the right place to respond to something we disagree with? And most of all, can we respect the person while disagreeing with them?
I know this stuff is posted everywhere. And I know the moderators work hard at this. And I know I'm not one, and this isn't my place to say this. But after reading that thread, I was gonna pop.
*admission of guilt - I received a warning myself. Great eye opener, and hopefully I have learned, and demonstrate my learning.
