There was a time, Jeanie, when people could make posts anonymously. And one poster in particular liked to take advantage of this, using it as a means of taking potshots at other posters and wiping her hands of the guilt. It was really out of control and I'm thankful Russ disallowed anonymous posting.

Personally, I don't have a problem with the heated debate atmosphere of this forum. So I don't see that as anything which requires an update in moderating. I simply believe blatantly offensive posts (i.e., name calling) should be dealt with. Quibbling over whether someone's post conveyed a vague hint of snideness or not is hardly something I would consider in need of moderating.

As it stands now, there is inconsistancy in the choice of deleting posts - and that's what I don't agree with most here. I have high hopes that the moderators don't choose to defend whichever side of the creationist/evolutionist camp they stand on. This would be prejudice. When someone makes a rude comment -- a blatantly rude comment -- it doesn't matter what side of the debate they're on. If an evolutionist poster showed up and began mouthing off to the creationists here in a rude manner, I wouldn't stand on his or her side for one minute (that we both support the theory of evolution is irrelevant).