The real key is to keep tempers down while discussing highly emotional issues. I think the request for people calming down resulted in people just leaving the forum. It wasn't that the opinions weren't welcome, it was that there was too much anger.
Early on, I found myself getting very angry at things I read, but now I just want to share my point of view. Now that the new is gone, the anger is to, at least for me.
It maybe time to merge this forum into something larger, like a "World Views" forum allowing for serious discussion on a wide range of topics. The war on terrorism certainly isn't the only thing going on in the world, it's just the most prominent. A "World Views" forum could allow discussions on issues completely unrelated to terrorism.
I believe there is a need for a serious issues forum at IW like this one, so GD can remain a place of fun and frolic.
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"Your right to swing your fist ends where my nose begins."
[This message has been edited by Ronn_Bman (edited 10-28-2001).]