Well, as you can see, there are conflicting opinions. Some people want one thing, and some want the complete opposite. Seems like there's no way to keep everybody happy, but we try to keep a balance. What more can I say? We will continue to delete serious racism and personal attacks when we see them. We just can't play host to that sort of stuff.

It's still true that the very best way to deal with flames and abuse is to ignore them, to act as if offensive posts were invisible. That "discipline of silence" doesn't seem to happen around here as often as it should.

I would like Mudcat to be a gently, friendly place where people feel comfortable - and I'm deeply embarrassed when it's not. Right now, it sees that too many people around here just want to do battle. I'm sorry, but no amount of editorial work will change the essential spirit of things here. We do what we can to put out fires; but peace has to come from the community, not from some sort of editorial enforcement.

-Joe Offer-