[Azred]

As an infrequent and completely impartial poster (I approach a topic from the point of view that I am correct and can't figure out why others don't agree [img]graemlins/petard.gif[/img] [img]tongue.gif[/img] ), I will state where I see this forum heading.
This particular forum is the one I view first, because I really like a juicy discussion of the current goings-on in the world. True, I don't reply to all threads because not all threads catch my interest; likewise, I have started several threads about topics in which I am interested but those quickly fall into obscurity. *shrug* Oh, well.
I have seen people get really petty, snotty, or whatever you wish to call it in some threads. However, I have seen those same people turn around and really contribute something constructive in other threads. Sometimes I agree with them, sometimes I don't. I ignore the name calling and the rougher language (which has never yet been directed at me personally) because one insult disarms anything else someone might have said, no matter how accurate or insightful. Occasionally, I have patted someone on the head (which I'm sure is taken as inflammatory), but that is about as far as I'll go. When I receive an insult I ignore it as if it never happened because I am in control of my own actions and reactions.

Enough about me. [img]graemlins/petard.gif[/img]

This thread represents the First Amendment right in its probably its most pure form, because with only a few restrictions--none of which are as restrictive as real-world First Amendment limits--we may speak our minds on any topic without fear of reprisal. If more people would frequent a forum such as this one then more people would become more informed, which benefits everyone.
Apparently, we've had a hiccup here lately. So what? That happenes every now and then. It's like being at a family gathering--there are relatives you enjoy seeing and relative you'd rather not see, but in the end you're all still family, like it or not.
The overall maturity level here is high enough to weather this particular thunderstorm. Actions always speak more loudly than words (even though words and actions are equivalent here, but that is a philosophical discussion for another day), thus how one weathers the storm bespeaks one's character. I see a lot of people here with a lot of character, even the ones with whom I normally disagree.

In short, this forum isn't "coming to" anything, just having a normal spat like in any relationship. By the way, you're sleeping on the couch. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

Azred pats everyone on thier heads. [img]graemlins/petard.gif[/img]