Re: I disagree in part - and the forums are NOT unmoderated, btw

Hmmm, I wonder which posts you are referring to?  Maybe you can PM me to satisfy my curiosity?  I might have played some small role myself, as there were a few recent posts which I saw and in turn privately suggested be removed by moderators - and they did not come from just one person.

Though it may be true that one person has been responsible for more than their share of name calling and provocation, if you look back over that forum objectively there is no way to lay all the blame for misbehavior on one or two individuals.  There have been a pretty good handful of people in the politics and other debate forums who have a history of name calling and personal attack posts.

Too many people here apparently feel compelled to reply to an attack against them, real or perceived, with their own attacks.  And then the fracas is really on.  I realize from personal experience that it can be hard not to bite back (and there have been lots of bites I wish I had back in retrospect), but I suggest that taking the high road and winning the debate by focusing on the message instead of the messenger is the best way to go.  In other words, don't show how well you can jump down in the gutter and sling mud with the best of them, show that you are confident enough and a big enough person to remain above the fray.  I think you will find that when you don't take the bait and respond in kind, it will take much of the wind out of the sails of the name caller(s).