It seems to me that flamers and the people who respond to them have a lot in common.

Just because you know a person's name doesn't mean he isn't a flamer.

Just because a person only posts to threads, but doesn't start them, doesn't mean he isn't a flamer.

Just because a person defends Mudcat, or defends another Mudcatter, doesn't mean he isn't a flamer.

Just because a person stands up for "politically correct" principles doesn't mean he isn't a flamer.

A flame-thrower is still a flame-thrower no matter which direction it is pointed.

What makes a flamer a flamer is the amount of anger that comes out in his messages. It doesn't matter who provokes it, or how it is provoked.

Oddly, SOME trolls/flamers seem to have more self-awareness than the people who respond to them. SOME trolls/flamers admit that they get some satisfaction out of what they're doing. People who respond to flamers seem unaware that they're getting any satisfaction. But what else could explain the fact that they do the same thing over and over? Isn't there something gratifying about getting angry at someone who *really* deserves it?