Looks like the part about getting you guys to focus on me worked just fine...;-)

DL: It takes two to make and maintain a fight. Regardless of who started it, it's fair to "serve [you] a portion of blame" on general principles, as a participant. it's not my place to rule on who's at fault, only to encourage you both to tone it down.

Mark: I had nothing to say about the validity of your posts. You seem to be confusing style and behavior with content. Or you're trying to inject a red herring. I don't know if I'd say you're "not particularly popular", but if that's so, it's a matter of style and not of your positions. It's not about "liberal precepts" and "thin-skinned" liberals and conservatives who "don't take it personal". It's just about the self-described "abbrasive" style. Since you already know that, what are you protesting?

Somehow, I suspect that this discussion's not over. If so, let's continue on Community. I felt I could inject one post about this on Current Events without cluttering up the board, but if it's going to turn into a big discussion, Community's the proper place.