Deja vu. I thought I had replied to this one. Mmmm...

Perhaps if you were in a pub, and some person (thought of saying pillock there but refrained) started waffling on about how we have all got it wrong regarding WW1, or that we should round up gay people or the planet mercury had evolving dinosaurs whatever, some people would laugh their heads off.

That would be the ones you are berating for saying things online that they might not do in public. I wouldn't be so sure.

Only one of those situations would have me sup up and leave, wiping my feet on the way out. The others, I would wipe the tear from my eye and offer to buy them a drink for making me laugh.

It's not a bad bloke who can make you laugh, although it isn't so clever to mock the afflicted. Here in Mudcatland, it would be disrespectful not to take people at face value, so if they say something stupid, what is wrong in saying "that is stupid?" In a pub, you might notice the tinted glasses, nervous tick, badge with a pound sign on it or strait jacket but here, you don't have that option. You have to that them as equals, and that is what those of us who tell it like it is are just doing.

Ooh... I feel all smug and sanctimonious now. I never realised what a good chap I am!