You're right, it really doesn't help someones argument when personal attacks become involved. I know I've been guilty of it, but lately I've been holding my tongue pretty well. I think the AJ blog is a great place to share ideas, opinions & news stories. People are naturally going to have differing views & opinions. That's a good thing. I know that my views aren't always popular, but I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels the way I do.

Personal attacks are really not helpful or becoming of an honest, intelligent discussion. I don't know any of the bloggers personally. Disagreeing with myself or another is one thing, made up personal attacks are another.

More often than not, a negative, personal attack against another blogger is probably not helping one's case. It comes across as crude, vulgar & petty. A mere distraction from the issue. I understand that it's hard to refrain from retaliating, especially when one is attacked undeservedly... but we should try & restrain ourselves.

Have a good one.

Ah, for most of my life, the "can't you be more polite" theme has been used as code for "can't you just shut up because I think you're inferior."

Evil is still evil, even if it now is displaying superficially better manners in hopes no one will remember what it did and what it wanted. I've looked it in the eye, and I've said, in my universe, this is not acceptable. Your reality may vary.

So CR, just curious, whom do you classify as evil in "your universe"? My tops are Darth Vader, Catbert, and Madonna. I personally read this as timeslip's attempt to have us all give parental ratings to our posts. I would agree that many should be classified as Mature Audience but then again who is judging the maturity of the user base.

Timeslip, if you're suggesting political correctness rear it's ugly head in this forum, I think you've blogged in the wrong website. But if on the other hand, you're suggesting that people be more aware of the their audience and the message it conveys, you may be on to something. I would hope that it the only reason people would offer up opinions but human nature being what it is, I'm sure that I'm a bit naive on that point.

timeslip, I read and commented on the Truth, Justice and the American Way blog as well. I agreed with you then and I agree with you now, except on one point. The one point is because I've been called out by RT while attempting to have a civil discussion with him...so when you say: "RT ventures goes overboard sometimes, but I suspect this is because he gets called names more than anyone in the virtual space", I disagree. During our discourse he accused me of inflammatory speech, "hate and bigot" were his words, when they did not appear in my writing. He does this often. It's too bad. I think while he is probably intelligent, well read and even amusing at times, his style of personal attacks brings out what it does...probably causing him to smile all day long.

Rolandmc: I hope RT tones it down, which is why I singled him out. Not to pick on him, there are others that are far more overboard. I simply thought RT would be receptive to the message. I believe we all need the message, as well. I have gone overboard at least once.

Free speech is fundamental, but selective listening makes it tolerable.

timeslip - Some of us have been trying to get R_T to be more polite and on point for years. Good luck. As you say, there are other who are worse.

The only effective control I've ever seen is ostracism. If all of us together refuse to respond, the hubris and personal abuse soon stops.

Timeslip, well said. I know that I have allowed myself to be dragged down to the insult basement. I would much rather discuss differences civilly and with some degree of certainty in your position.

By the way, today's blogs have been great as well as the responses.

Good post, I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.

Roland, Its very likely that I called you hateful or a bigot, and if/when I did that, it was most likely to highlight the common abuse of those terms against Christians or anyone who opposes homosexual marriage.

I doubt you are really hateful, and not sure if you are a bigot, but I will try to tone it down on the assumption you are not such.