John, the trouble with 'taking on face value' on an internet site is that you can't see their faces!
I have misinterpreted comments here, and had mine misinterpreted, too.
People such as Amos, LH, Rapaire, Gnu, WLD, and in fact the vast majority of posters are NOT being agressive. They will pick you up if they disagree with you, but that is the free exchange of opinion, which is covered in the rules of the site. I usually picture them typing with a wry grin on their faces. I've never SEEN their faces.
In the several years that I've been here there has never been nastiness that was not interrupted by Joe or the clones.
All anyone needs here is a love of music and a normal skin thickness. The excessively thin-skinned would be better served to stay above the line, and only 'lurk' down here in the pits, because this is the bullshit area.