I was just reading through a thread by someone who objected to being banned for making inappropriate comments, and later said that what was said on here didn't matter because it wasn't the real world.
I understand that at times, you just want to let loose your opinions or feelings on a subject, but when you post on a forum, you are posting to real people, with real feelings.
Internet forums are a part of the real world, not a personal fantasy space, that's what personal websites are for.
Either way, when you write something on a forum or a personal site, you are responsible for what you say and the reaction it causes to those who read it. If it's offensive to a group of people, rethinking your position and trying to understand those who you are offending during the time of your ban, rather than stewing over the ban, will help you get along a lot better in the "real" world, as well as on this forum.

Well said both of you. I agree completely. I cannot even imagine why people think it is okay to attack someone so viciously over a difference of opinion.

I find the moderators here exceedingly lenient.

Some people find the "difference of opinion" itself an attack. Either entirely agree or you are the enemy.

good point. there is a certain irony in people who say they are tolerant being intolerant of another's very existence.

You are correct mr. jaggers. however, most people will see your quote and think you are talking about "the other guy". lol

But if there is no argument, how to do you draw a line at what is "right". With all the varieties of behaviors out there, at one point or another you are gonna have to set up rules. And whenever there are rules, somebody is gonna wanna break em.

It's simplistic to say "don't argue."

And how do you know who is being intolerant? To come to that conclusion, you will have to choose sides, thereby joining the argument in a way.

Just agree with Tristan, Ali, and knote all the time and you'll be fine here.

But I've made it my mission in "DtT internet life" to disagree with them. Too much agreeing is boring.

The rules on this forum have been established, and as it is a debate forum, there is obviously going to be some argument. How the argument is played out is what is important when it comes to the moderator's decision on banning, based on those rules. Disagreement can be civilized.