Liz, I agree with you 100%. If an annoying, incorrect, or even obnoxious post is enough to get FTers all wound up and upset, I'd say that their lives are pretty good.

I'm not gonna lie to you: once in awhile an FT post really gets going. Its amazing what taking an hour away from the computer before posting a reply can do, though. And if after an hour you're still upset, either the post should be truly offensive, or maybe its time for a self-imposed timeout? It is something to consider.

As for OMNI, its meant to be a place to discuss religion, politics, and other controversial and not-so-controversial topics. As mostly adults around here (and I would guess that 97% of FTers are over the age of 16) maybe its time to start seperating the argument from the person advancing it.

Let's be honest, I'm finishing up a Politics degree; politics are something that I love to discuss with my friends in the department (incidently some of my best friends). We love to debate the issues; I often find myself fundamentally disagreeing with many of my friends. When the debate is over, though, the argument is put aside. My friend remains my friend - aren't we all grown up enough to do that?

Finally, as a somewhat-regular on FT chat, I have to say it has been the one thing that has most attracted me to this community (and kept me around). If chat were to go, its likely that I would spend a lot less time around here as well.