Seems to me the difference in reaction to his and others' flaming is the difference between newsnet and this forum. On newsgroups, flaming is a way of life. Visit many if not most newsgroups and you'll see more than a little of it, only a small, small portion of which is entertaining or funny (though some of the posters think they are the new Robin Williams or Henny Youngman).

This forum is a lot more like a club or family, and has norms and expectations quite different from the typical "it's just newsnet, it doesn't exist" philosophy. When someone comes here using manners appropriate to "there," we get upset. It reminds me of a few songwriters' lyric boards, where anonymous and obnoxious folks discovered that they could savage earnest and vulnerable beginning writers with no consequence to themselves. Some of the boards had to resort to constant watching by the board keepers, which, being a free site, meant lots more work than the "payback" deserved, and some boards folded up, at a loss to the regulars.

It's the use of "outside" manners "inside" that gets us upset, and it's something which we have little control over, other than "community action" and comdemnation of the perpetrators. Posts can be and have been removed, but it shouldn't take that level of vigilance.

What we need is a universal response when someone violates the mores of this, our clubhouse/parlor. Something like we use with kids: "Indoor voices, please!" Or "Company manners, now!"

And, once this response is given, the thread is ended. No other response, no flame in return, just ignoring the troll, the "nikulturni chelovyek," the farter-in-church. Ostracize him/her/them. Serves 'em right!

Don't know that this would work, but it's a thought. Nothing keeps a flame war going like responses, earned or not, and nothing stops one like lack of fuel.

Bob Clayton