The Internet has provided a way not only to bring people closer (e.g., The Mudcat Cafe), but also to drive them farther apart. What people forget in the supposed anonymity provided by typing a message on their own computer is that each and every machine can be traced, if someone knows how and wants to bother. Moreover, ANYONE can cut-and-paste something into a new message from a previous message or from anything else, WITHOUT anyone else being able to prove or disprove anything else. And has been pointed out, this stuff is archived, possibly in places other than Max's servers.

Personally, I try not to say anything on the Internet that I wouldn't want sent to everyone in the whole wide world.

It's called "Netiquette" and a Google or other search will turn up lots of sites with suggestions for good netiquette. Treating people as you'd treat them in your home is the best way to get along...of course, there are those you wouldn't invite in, and those you can ignore on the 'Net as well as in "real" life.