or you can run away. As a former soldier, I have far more respect for someone who is willing to stick around and fight than run. Personal attacks are a different matter, but disagreement is essence of free speech. Those who simply throw out opinions and then whine about "intolerance" when someone expresses a different view really don't impress me. To me, that's the tactic of someone who is either trying to stifle the free expression of ideas other than their own or of someone too intellectually weak to defend his ideas.

Ideas are very powerful things. They've been known to change history for better or worse. Ideas from any source should be examined and tested for weaknesses instead of coddled under the guise of "tolerance." I see free debate as a flight testing process for ideas where flaws can be exposed and perhaps repaired.

You've stayed here and fought the good fight. I respect that. You may be surprised to learn that we agree far more than we disagree. I urge you to not take my views personally. Believe me, if I wanted to get personal, you'd know it. It's very unlikely you'll ever see me do that unless provoked.