I know that somewhere along the line someone personally attacked about something or another, but I just cannot remember what at this point---so it must have made a real impression on me.

I've been reading things like craigslist rants and raves here in Boston and the comments section to things like boston.com stories and politico and it's amazing how little people have to say, how poorly it is said and how that said, thousands just cannot shut up. I've been reading it all with a reason--there's a story I'm working on and it gets me in the mood to think about some of the issues involved.

The nice thing about this board--aside from Mr. Baerwald, of course--is that there are some intelligent sorts on here and it really does not have to denigrate into what it seems to have become for some people here--which is not unlike rants on raves on craigslist boston. I don't get it, frankly.

People don't agree on everything--how lovely, but if only certain disagreements could be spelled out in an intelligent fashion.

For example, I have a great friend--we've been friends for decades now. In recent years, he's become a big time Christian. I was shocked at first--given it was such a change in how I knew and thought of him. But you know--it's all fine. We've worked out that he is a big believer in those God and Jesus fellows and I am absolutely not. It took a little doing but we actually now have good conversations about our separate roads. I enjoy the difference. Why? Because I see he's truly sincere in his beliefs and because I think it's important to try to respect the view that isn't mine. And he's funny as hell. That helps.

I hope that the site doesn't fold and I hope people can stop just being snarky and lord, if you think the public option is wrong or that the president is leading us into socialism or whatever the hell it is --state it clearly and a discussion can begin.

On boston.com, a load of incredibly angry people think that--and they've been encouraged to think that everyone's opinion must be aired. It just begins to sound like noise after a while and it's not real helpful to anyone or anything. Much of it is just anger--racist, thoughtless, etc. Here, though--it's a smallish set of folks with at least one thing in common--so maybe a little more civility should be part of the privilege?

Dunno. I'd be sad if this site went away, but I do get David's annoyance, disappointment, I think.