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I've followed this forum for a while, and this thread is long overdue. I hope something good comes of it.
Although I have posted a few times and even started a thread once, I probably fall into the category of "long time listener, first time caller". Even so, and although I did my best to be respectful to other posters, I have been slammed personally for expressing an opinion (I know...who hasn't?), and believe it on not, I took a hit, on at least one occasion, for not agreeing with someone else enough. I also ran into a few posters (none mentioned or posting on this thread) who were clearly only trying to pick a fight.
Honest debate is one thing, and should be encouraged, but at some point, if a member unambiguously takes a position which is in direct contradiction to your own, it's time to simply agree to disagree, break clean (a boxing expression meaning no parting cheap shots), and go your separate ways. I would like to think that we members can do this on our own, without the intervention of the mods, but they appropriately step in from time to time, and no doubt will have to continue to do so.
Still, my suggestion to everyone would be to adopt the "agree to disagree" rule. Recognize and respect the right of another member to disagree with you. Don't take it personally that someone else holds a contrary opinion. Don't take upon yourself the obligation to change another's opinion. Take a last look at proposed post, to edit out any personal digs, before actually posting on a thread. Finally, when all else fails, simply agree to disagree, and refrain from further dialogue...what would be the point?
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