""I think it's a skill. And I guess not everybody on mudcat is interested in learning it. But.......I do think it's wise to know your own intention.   Is it verbal masturbation? Pissing people off? Letting the world know how amazing you are?   Convincing people that your right and decent take on things really is right and decent? To help others who are asking for help? Or to feel/demonstrate a 'connection' with others in the mudcat community?""

The simple answer to that Larry, is that it is all of the above.

Since one encounters a range of differing personas, with differing perspectives and intentions, your (entirely desireable) wish to interact with them all in the same cordial, helpful and well mannered, though rather bland way, is unlikely to elicit the responses you expect.

In a melting pot of mixed cultures, it is necessary to be aware of that variety, and treat each person as an individual, though that may mean steeling yourself to call somebody a fool, if that is what you honestly believe him to be.

Racist or xenophobic posts do indicate strongly the presence of a racist or xenophobe at that particular keyboard, and deserve strong condemnation

A learned, measured and well constructed argument needs to be answered in kind.

There is nobody on this forum who engenders in me, feelings of hatred.

There are many, some of whose attitudes I deplore, detest, or otherwise find unpleasant.

There are a few that I would never be likely to call friend, and many that might, in the real world be good singing and drinking buddies.

There are a few whom I already number among my friends, and some of those I disagree with on certain subjects.

How could I possibly treat all of the above in exactly the same way?

Don T.