" like to enjoy my pint, a chat which might even be controversial and a laugh without worrying about furniture flying or a broken bottle against my throat; the cyber equivalent can be just as hurtful."

Uh, I don't THINK so Peter. Although that never seems to stop you whiners from conflating hurt feelings from insults with bashed bones from an actual physical attack.

But it takes all kinds of net kooks to make up a 'discussion' forum, eh?