LTS,

I've always had a good picture of you in my mind's eye. I enjoy your posts!

"why should I have to try to be polite when expressing an opinion with which some will agree and others will disagree?"

Why would we not want to be polite? Politeness doesn't hinder the ability to express an opinion, does it? Is it really either or? There are posters here who I would categorize as both very opinionated and very polite. Should that be the exception?