Skeptic, your posting history says you joined in October. That may mean you missed the big flame war we had here in August. And I've read threads from some of the previous flame wars. The difference between a flame war and free speech, is with a flame war, people are attacking each other all over the Mudcat.

It starts with one thread. Then it spreads to another thread. Then two more threads are started to protest the first two. Then people are fighting all over the place. And they are vicious about it. And they begin to make personal threats. And members go underground. And Max gets PMs about it. Then he steps in and says enough.

There is no lack of wisdom in such a move under those circumstances. It's true that we are not at that point right now. But I've seen things escalate the way they have been the last few days and end up at that point. I don't see why we have to get to that point in the first place. If we take care with our behavior when a flame war is in the very early stages, as this one is, we can avoid getting to that point. It's kind of like the enviornment. Don't wait until it's too late to take good care of it.

When you guys were having fun slinging stuff at each other in the Bush threads, no harm was being done. You were in agreement about what you were there for. But the attacks have spread to other kinds of threads now, including welcome threads. That's the beginning of when things get out of control.

Perhaps you should check out some of the earlier flame war threads so you can see how these things evolve. I'm sure Spaw would be happy to supply you with a few links.

You seem like a level headed sort of person to me. I think you can probably understand why it's better for a lot of people if we don't get to the point where Max needs to step in.

Carol