"Be aware that this is the sort of interminable fighting that gets people's cookies removed.. This isn't the right website for it."

The problem is that too often what happens isn't that. The repeat offenders are allowed keep their cookies, and carry on, but potentially interesting discussions get derailed, and terminated.

It's remarkable the way that so often people lack the elementary self discipline not to get stirred up to launch into temper tantrums. In a face to face argument there's some excuse for losing one's rag, and striking out verbally if not physically. But in an online setting like this where we can hold pf posting a hasty response, there really isn't.

..........

Voting by post is very much a second best. The rutual of voting personally is an important one for a society. Widespread postal voting in a society reflects the fact that there are serious problems that get in the way of being able to vote in person. The pandemic was an example. But there are clearly many more, particularly it seems in the States. That's where the problem lies.

For example consider the question of freedom to give water to people waiting for hours to cast their vote. Why on earth should anyone have to wait for hours to cast their vote? It just wouldn't arise if there were sufficient polling places in the right places at the right times to meet the needs of the community. If people feel inhibited or frightened to vote in person there is something clearly wrong with the voting arrangements and that needs to be dealt with.

Postal voting is a stop gap solution that needs to be defended, but it should be recognised that the demand for it reflects serious failings in a society.

And of course the big underlying fault evidenced in the USA at this time is the existence of a powerful minority which sees voter suppression as its only real pathway back to hegemony.