I don't know if it will help, but it should be remembered that there are at least FIVE topics that are "forbidden" or so charged and so entrenched with certain opinion holders that raising them in any form invites flame wars, HR's flying back and forth and the creation of scorched earth thread comments that adds nothing to the understanding or solving of problems.
Why is it on an otherwise fairly rational and thoughtful site there are certain topics that are as unstable as pure nitroglycerin? The fifth one is definitely sexuality/feminism.
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The other 4? Israel/Palestine, "free trade"/outsourcing, open borders/working class survival, Hillary Clinton/Albert Gore. I would add Bush Cheney Murder,Inc gang activities because of the self censorship and inability to freely explore the subject in the despotic environment in our country created by the criminals.
I am disappointed, but not surprised that "Lord of Flies" behavior gets exhibited dealing with a highly charged opinion. I am sorry that a member of the community gets so little defense against the ganging up. Some commentors give practical advice which consists of "If a situation gets that bad in the comments, walk away". We are discussing Kossack on Kossack dispute, not new trolls stirring the pot.
Are we ever going to see a climate where those high intensity topics get a fair hearing and shed light on our problems rather than heat and vitroil and personal attacks on the unpopular held opinions? See this diary:
http://www.dailykos.com/...