That's one of my reasons for "tolerating"--which is to say, not ejecting--Lee. But also, I think you might be letting the vicious, mean-spirited, narrow-minded ideas expressed in his post color your perception of the way he said it. The gratuitous "your side", which says more about Lee's perspective from the far horizons of political thought, was actually as close as he got to rudeness. No epithets, no outright insulting words, just a way of looking at the world that civilized people find insulting.

That's the crucial difference that's kept me from reaching for the ax lo these many years. I can't think of a time when his behavior crossed the line. His beliefs may be repugnant, but he's been careful to stay within the accepted social boundaries of the Zone. If I were to ban him, I'd be banning him for his thoughts and beliefs, and that would put me in the position of betraying my deeply-held belief in freedom of speech.

I thought about replying to his post and telling him he's being a jerk, and that would've been mildly gratifying. But you and Raoul and Rob and Eri slapped him upside the head, and I actually enjoyed that more. I might've preempted the later back-and-forth between you and Rob, too...which in a way is a sign that something useful can come out of Lee's participation here. It's not just about Lee, it's also about side-effects and synergy. He stirs the pot in interesting ways ;-)

Hang in there, Art. You know you don't have to respond to Lee, and I suspect that you might've been motivated by a bit of chivalry in this instance. I wouldn't want to take away opportunities for you to express such noble sentiments. Look at Lee as an ongoing opportunity to draw contrasts, to take the high road every time he takes the low road.