[SteveH]

I think Tombots ;-) should consider unilaterally lowering the volume of the verbiage in the responses across FR. (Not critizing any particular poster here, just suggesting a general strategy.) If after a reasoned dialogue they don't respond positively, simply thank them for commenting and let them go. Perhaps by refraining from criticizing others, some Arnold supporters might actually start to listen as a first step. Just a thought...

[Rabid Dog]

I think most "TomBots" just aren't responding at all - the old iceberg effect - we are just hearing from the 1/7 above water. And I am sure an equal number of Arnold supporters aren't participating either. Why bother when the thread quickly degrades into middle school sludge.

There are about a dozen posters of both persuasion that go from thread to thread arguing - and the fact of the matter is they enjoy arguing, insulting, criticizing, etc. I'm sure some are DU plants - others are just obnoxious.

Virtually everyday on this thread some Arnold supporter will come over and post something obnoxious - often times as soon as the thread goes up. He usually gets ignored for the first post. Then another obnoxious post which will usually elicit a reaction. But for the most part the thread is rant free (and low volume).

I wish somebody in the Arnold camp would start a daily thread where freepers could get news and published views and where rants were minimized. I actually offered to help one of the Arnold supporters to set it up. I would like to have unadorned Arnold material to examine or a place to ask questions or get clarifications.

At this point I just avoid most threads - which is a shame because I do enjoy the dialog I have with fellow freepers.