[croatan]

Well stated, Kelly (as always).

There are some topics that just seem to, by their nature, invite people to forget the old adage about opinions and assholes. By not allowing politically-related content, that cuts out a lot of these opportunities, but some people will still find ways to pound us with whatever point they think is so crucial for us to know and agree on.

Sometimes, those types of posts remind me of the blathering vitriol you'll find reading the comments section of any recent news story or blog--often nearly incoherent internet badasses who feel the need to belittle everyone who disagrees with them, regardless of the amount of reflection and analysis (or lack thereof) they've put into whatever opinion they hold so staunchly. It's disappointing that that kind of thing happens here occasionally (and I do think it is merely occasionally--I think that posts here are overwhelmingly positive).

But the good thing is that, if patterns hold true (and they usually do), the people who make those kinds of posts usually realize that's not how things are done here and either conform to the standards and norms of the community or find themselves somewhere else to hang out and spout off.