Spitfire. I actually agree with you. It's partly why I created a topic to corral some of the controversial views... 'A Vast Tapestry of Lies'. In it can go almost anything. It's also why I asked for a section on Alternative medicine.
A separate section called 'Controversial Topics' is one idea. Or simply ban them. Then those who spawn them can go elsewhere and those that hate them can relax a bit. Moderators can use their discretion as to what is allowable. Considering the antagonism that is generated, I would have no problem with this. Peace, hopefully, will then rein. Somehow I doubt if it would work, though because, as far as I know, no-one is writing about the more outlandish stories that can be found on the front page of National Enquirer. If they were then it would be right to direct them to another web site, where they can happily discuss UFO sightings.
I do create a number of these topics to stimulate debate and to expose what appear to be falsehoods. I don't find them a problem. In fact, I find them fascinating. Like 'whodunit's', reality is stranger than fiction. But they are obviously disturbing to some people. Is it a 'personal crusade'? Sometimes. I don't really think of it that way. More that there are so many juicy topics to sink your teeth into. Are they all just wild fantasy? I've yet to see any of them shown to be such. It should be easy. Right?
There ARE members who can discuss them and remain unflustered. Steve is a good example. I respond to him, I hope, as civilly as he does to me. If everyone else would do the same then we could have tea and scones for afters. Why the 'pavlovian pups' allow themselves to get so bent out of shape is beyond me. I enjoy MrS contributions which are feisty and entertaining. I don't care for his incredibly offensive condemnation of everyone who lives their lives according to faith but I certainly wouldn't like to see him banned. He sure beats the one-line drive-by shootings from keyboard warriors.
I think because it's predominantly a 'falang' forum, it's easy to forget we live in a Buddhist culture and there are Thai Muslims even in Hua Hin. Yes, I have strong opinions on Zionism and its various tentacles but so do moderate Jews, whose voices are not heard in the mainstream.
A big problem is the tactic of painting everything with the 'CT' brush, in order to discredit the topic or the originator. This is just another form of flaming or trolling. Those who adopt this tactic are starting to look like Jockey in reverse. They spend more time on these sites than he did.
The consequence is that life is constantly breathed into topics that would just wither on the vine. It wouldn't matter where you put them, the pups will follow. Like rabbits caught in headlights they can't help themselves. Draw your own conclusions as to the pathology.
It's not an easy issue to adjudicate. Go to the BBC 'Have Your Say' site and the comments section of most mainstream newspapers. You will see the same arguments. And the same level of vitriol.
