[GreatOne]

I loved the debates, but they were by no means "debate with disagreement but not malice." Prior to 9/11, I remember regular flame wars with the liberals who dared venture over here to cause trouble, before Jim (a) screened for swearing; and (b) screened for general idiocy. I haven't been active here in about 8 years or so, and the site has really expanded. All 3 of your names are familiar to me, and it was easier to keep track of posters. Did have really good discussions back then (I remembered a thread I started, "Are the Clintons Evil" that was not as juvenile as it might appear to be; really good comments/exchanges about the nature of evil, and such).

Anyway, here's to 13 years, and may we all see another 13! God bless.

[exit82]

Yes, there were flame wars. I guess I was thinking more of the 1998-1999 time period, when this was all very new and there seemed to be more “netiquette” than we see today.

As I recall, there seemed to be a more marked trend starting in 2000—like you said pre-9/11/01-—toward the flaming,as I suspect the first intentional disruptors came on the board in the Gore Bush campaign and aftermath.

I remember your screename, and I am glad you are back.In 2012, we are going to need all the good folks we can get!

Happy New Year to you, and in two months you’ll be celebrating your 14th!

[KC Burke]

I guess I excluded the replies to the Ash-holes and the like in my characterizations. Even back then I liked to say that internet sites had all the manners, courtesy, decorum, maturity and civility of a Junior High School bus stop.

I also think the issue is demonstrated by the fact that I and many others that debated opposite the Libertarian crowd like OWK and others now don’t even bother to post much about the issues with Ron Paul.

I, for one, learned to have a certain amount of respect for the libertarian position, not from agreeing with it, and not from Paul and libertarians like him, but instead, from my fellow forum members that were libertarians who I respected in the fight for small government.

Now we see the general non-democrat doing the selection, debate and research we did a decade ago and it does little good for us to endlessly bash each other here — the battlefield is the electorate.