You're openning full shows that you haven't been paying attention. Even back in 1998 when you joined, this forum was loaded with lack of civility and lack of thoughtful discourse. The difference is, instead of being focused on Clinton and the democrats, it's now found focus on republicans and conservatives. Because they are in charge and not a whole lot has really changed. But now you've also got a group of republicans and conservatives who believe republicans and conservatives can do no wrong and will go to any length to show it and on the opposite side of the spectrum are the "purests" who believe that both Bush brothers should have personally donned flack jackets and swooped down in Pinellas County and rescued Terri and even that wouldn't have been good enough. Somewhere in between is reality. But even more important is that each of these polar opposite camps are trying to out Ann Coulter each other with all the zings and zangs they can get off at each other.
So spot on I had to repeat the whole thing. Boy you nailed the factions and the psychology in one fell swoop.