Having studiously ploughed through the whole boring Boring thread, and marvelled at the escalating bile therein without daring to post, I must comment today on Al's new thread. How big-hearted and mature of him, I think it's very touching. If only similar sentiments from all the protagonists had been expressed before about post 50 or so, the thread itself may have wound its way to a more congenial and pleasant conclusion.
In my view (not worth a lot I realise) bitter and frenzied argument can take place, and be stimulating and interesting, IF people hold tightly to an underlying civility and goodwill, agree to differ, 'shake hands' and be friendly in spite of their opposing standpoints. That, by the way Joe, is a traditional British way of behaving, even if somewhat diluted nowadays.