Disclaimer: Big Mick is simply being used as an example because of his post on this thread. Nothing personal is intended and my points are being made about certain behaviors. not about any individuals.

Insults are still insults even when they are not aimed at us. But if insult is not the proper word here how about "derogatory language"? If we insult, we are giving tacit approval to others to do the same. A LOT of the problem is registered users insulting unregistered GUESTs. I assume that they have feelings to hurt even though they are hiding. They are probably more sensitive than most. Hence the hiding.

So are you saying it is good manners in MudCat to call others, "miscreants", "fools", "asses", to call their opinions "This shit" to say that people are so bad that they "disgust" him? I don't think so. Such talk is inflammatory. Are you saying it is OK for Big Mick to do it because as a "MudCatter in good Standing" he has earned his curmudgeon licence? I think not. If you tolerate it for one then that is the standard of behavior that you set.

I agree with what Mick has said. In that I do not believe in encouraging childish behavior. But calling people names isn't the best example to set. It is just rising to the same bait. GUEST's have spoken about double standards here. Am I to understand that rude behavior is OK on MudCat as long as it is someone you know. Or is it just OK to be rude to GUESTs?

I am not so sure that solution is so much whether we respond to Trolls but how. God bless you Joe, I don't envy you your job at all. But I promise that when the trolling is obvious, I'll ignore it. And I don't plan to egg people on with insults.

SharonA, thanks for the definition. I don't know about flamers. I know that if someone is rude to me and I am rude in return, Whether I am justified or not, trouble will ensue!

Jeri: I agree with Mick 100% as well. And on the whole he seems like an amusing and interesting man. But his behavior, when he starts name calling, tends to aggravate the problem rather than alleviate it. I can't imagine calling someone a "smart ass" or a "fool" with out insulting them. Can you?