Thread pissing contests

[alanmcorcoran]

I suppose to some extent that some participation is better than no participation, but I wanted to state (for just me personally, obviously) I do NOT find the endless bickering over who said what and how they said it and who is a jerk, etc. that a lot of these threads descend into amusing. It's not only a waste of time when I click to read these new "posts" but I also think it discourages (new) people from participating and reduces our little community to the same half dozen voices.

I realize that by posting this, I am inviting the exact sort of activity I am asking to cease, but it seems lately, some people are suggesting that this is a "fun" thing that we all consider some sort of badge of honor. In my case, I think it doesn't add much to the site.

To be clear, I am not talking about the good natured teasing (of Sarris and his Harley or me and my Yamaha) or people voicing their various beliefs on pipes, ATTGATT, etc. I'm talking more about the personal vitriol that goes on and on and no one seems to be man enough to stop responding.