Dear Self-chosen Outcast: Welcome to reality. Of course, there are people who let fly with pretty nasty stuff ocassionally. I don't think anyone is denying that. Or saying that it's right. I too get irritated with people who seem to say without thinking, anything that comes to mind if they think it clever and then claim the person that they've offended is too over-sensitive. Not a great depth of self-examination going on there. But, your observation is the same that people make about churches. There are hypocrites there, back-biters, egotistical, obnoxious people. As my sons would say, "No duh!" The only way that you can avoid exposure to people who are offensive is to stay in the house. I thought that Nerd's comments were right on the mark. Take the good that you can find here, and there is MUCH good. Don't let the occasional mean-spirited stuff get you down. Usually, when someone says something out of line, several other Catters jump in to the defense. If you see a thread that looks like it's getting tied in knots (or nots), don't go there. I've just been coming here a couple of months, and I see many good people.. including some that fling insults back and forth at each other, good-naturedly. It's a good place to come. It bears a strong resemblance to reality.
Jerry