Cydney asks : "What do you suggest?" - That's a tough one. I've spent years doing professional technical work via "leaderless" email lists. In those cases, there is a shared purpose. Still, "flame wars" do break out. In most cases, other individuals on the list will eventually step in and ask for a cessation of hostilities. Most of these email lists have an "owner" who can ban troublesome individuals.

Hal says : "It truly is a shame that this cannot be used for an adult discussion of important community and state issues." That statement is spot on. So much wasted time and opportunity where real issues could be solved or at least addressed! This kind of virtual turd-throwing (like simians in a zoo) is a great part of what is wrong with our republic.