[Hieronymus]

Your post is some consolation. This is only my third election cycle on FR, and I think that either Cruz or Trump would be a vast improvement upon McCain or Romney, so I find the fratricide a little disheartening.

I also spend enough time with small children and teenagers that I do not find many of the antics here that amusing.

[Cboldt]

It isn't just election cycles that get contentious, although primary election cycles are guaranteed to be contentious.

Anyway, it's just a chat forum. It ebbs and flows as to quality, posters come and go, etc. Fratricide and self-imposed exile are part of the life cycle.

I do understand that the tolerance level for flame wars is highly variable. I have very thick skin, and am reasonably self-controlled. But sometimes, just for grins, I tell people what I really think.