Well written, Frank. And a bit puzzling.

Are you distinguishing between the ad hominem attacks upon a poster and the less-than-flattering posts about public personalities? I'd like to comment about both those kinds of posts. (And I also believe since I've come back I pretty well limit my attacks upon posters to the Flame Board.)

First, I believe the conservatives on this board are far, far more likely to attack a poster in an ad hominem attempt to deflect the discussion than are the liberals. Way, way more. And as a corollary, I believe the right-wing posters are more likely to wish violence upon the more liberal people.

Second, the Presidency and control of Congress are in the hands of Republicans. Obviously there will be more negative comments about those personalities - they are the ones making the mistakes. I'm sure that during the Clinton Administrations the comments were mainly unflattering about those people. Hell, they still are.

I believe there are a couple of reasons for some conservatives leaving. First, people come and go. Second, there are more liberals than there were a year ago, it's not as completely dominated by conservatives. Not as fun for some who don't enjoy the give AND take.

Too, some, such as SDAI went beyond the limits of impolite company, and left because he couldn't handle the criticism. And, frankly, he wasn't contributing much to either side. There is also a religious bigot you mentioned, who gets "called" on that. Those folks want people to agree, too, and tend to disappear to places where bigotry is accepted more universally. As far as losing ebnelson, that he's mourned by anybody is sad.

Another reason could be that things aren't going well for conservatives these days, and it's hard to stick around when that happens. The gloat is gone, as the right-wing has had to become more defensive about failed policies, and politicians who are consistently "less than candid". Some folks do not like being contradicted, in fact lose their tempers when that happens, use foul language and call others liars. In my experience that is mostly a right-wing thing, and those people, bullies, visit less often or leave when they don't get their own way.

I think it's a pendulum, and it'll swing again, I'm sure. For right now, it seems to be mostly the bullies who are leaving or limiting, the folks who have to have it their way, who need a majority of folks agreeing with them to be at all comfortable.

If you think it's bad now, wait until Kerry is elected.

And, congratulations on a great, thought-provoking post.

Arf