I have just moved three threads to Flame because partisan bickering over who's to blame for the problems on the Gulf erupted into flaming. It's a measure of how bad things have gotten that one of those threads was my earlier plea for civility.

This is not the time for this. The tragedy is continuing to unfold.

There will be time later to discuss what's gone wrong, and to assign blame. The various charges that this plea for civility in a time of disaster are an attempt to stifle legitimate debate on this issue are bullshit. I'm upset about the situation too...but arguing about it now, here on the HabitableZone, won't accomplish a damn thing.

There will be a debate later, I promise. But not right now.

Up to now I've disclaimed any official authority and tried to rely on sweet reason and persuasion. That has obviously failed. You are all now on notice that, as the operator of the HabitableZone, I will not tolerate any further disruption of the civic order here through the exploitation of this disaster for political gain. Such behavior is now to automatically be considered flaming.

And let me be clear that I don't distinguish between the first post in one of these things and any responses. Once it turns partisan, everyone begins to instinctively exploit the situation to advance their own agenda. "He started it" is meaningless now.

I will shut down this board if I have to.