"I was merely bringing it up...and I SAID, I don't need a f ###### flame war right now. so don't bring me into this. "

This was a portion of a message posted in one of the many SMC message boards, and I find it indicative of a certain behavior on the boards. It's similar to a person walking up to a person, tapping them on the shoulder, slapping them in the face, then walking away. Added to it is the idea that the people in question then, after inserting their opinions into the issue, whatever issue that is, they then say "but don't bring me into this."

This is, of course, unrealistic, and I have pointed it out to these people before. I point it out again in an editorial on my page as a way of re-stating my point. When a person makes a post on a message board, they had better be prepared for a response, in fact, they should expect a response.

If you don't want a flame war as a result of you voicing your opinions, slapping the opponent, as it were, you should not make the post. This is not an order from me, I am simply reminding you of an unwritten rule of the message boards, one which people seem to forget a bit too often.

Artemis

(comments welcome - please email me at [email protected] and I will post your comments here as well.)