I disagree, but I doubt that surprises you. I see people whining about "intolerance" just because others disagree with their opinions. To me, that's just another manifestation of the Political Correctness movement where dissenting opinion isn't allowed. Words mean things. Calling someone "intolerant" is little different from calling them a bigot. Over the years, I've had people call me that and far worse (Nazi and warmonger come to mind) for disagreeing with them on one political issue or another. Rather than back down when faced with that kind of nonsense, I tend to jump in with my size 11 combat boots and gut them with my trench knife. I don't put up with that from anyone.

You can't persuade anyone to your ideas if you aren't around to present them. That's the fundamental mistake of those who run away from a debate. Running away to other venues where everyone agrees with your views accomplishes nothing more than preaching to the choir. I have far more respect for someone like Buck Galaxy who battles on to present his viewpoints despite being outnumbered by us unwashed heathen. I may disagree with some of Buck's viewpoints but at least he sticks around to make his views known. He has shown far more courage and class than the snotgrammers who post and run away. Buck has also shown a lot of class with his support of G. W. Bush in the current crisis despite his disagreements with him on other areas of policy.

You posted, "E' is very willing to defend ideas, but he thinks it should be done in the context of civilization and that ideas should really be the point instead of agendas." So, those of us who articulate a different viewpoint are uncivilized? That smacks of a rather arrogant attitude, IMO. You seem to assume that "my ideas are civilized, yours represent an agenda."

As for Mary Anne, who's to say whether her views were any more rational than mine or someone else's? You see, you take the rationality of her views as a matter of faith. Your opinion of her rationality might be influenced by the fact that you agreed from her viewpoints and perhaps her agenda. She was an articulate poster who did make many good points. Many of us grew to respect her despite disagreeing with her on many issues. Too bad she doesn't see fit to present an alternative view. I don't recall anyone making a personal attack against her and wouldn't support them if they did. Her self-imposed silence accomplishes nothing.