to think that saying "I'm sorry, I wasn't attacking YOU" is crap.

[Tinnitus]

It really gets on my nerves when people post aggressive personal diatribes, and when you say "WTF?" they say "oh, I'm sorry I wasn't attacking YOU."

I think that's crap.....

Examples? But YAProbablyNBU.

It's tough to think of examples that wont identify those who do it, and I don't really want to do that. It tends to be those who want to take a thread way off topic.

Ah.

Yes, I see what you mean.

I have been pondering starting a dedicated thread for those kind of meandering thoughts, so they can stay in one place and I can hide them. But I suppose it's not my place to do it.

I like Aitch's suggestion of just posting 'Troll' and reporting. Then maybe we can get back on topic.

well, i just said on the fox hunting thread that I wasn't attacking you personally so I assume I am part of your annoyance? In that case, I read several replies that seemed to be making similar points, and responded in turn, not thinking I was directing it at anyone specific. I imagine that is often the case here.

Don't worry about it - it just shows a lack of depth and lack of being able to take responsibility for their own actions. It's really not worth upsetting yourself over someone else's self-justification.

Obviously there's a difference between genuinely not wishing to have offended and simply using it as some form of lame get-out clause.

I get that some people post things that directly oppose my point of view, and they have a right to do that. but that doesn't mean I wan't to see them outside. I can take it.

But if you disagree with me, just admit it and lets talk. don't keep the discourse away from the issue by feigning despair and indignation at me for countering your assertions, and accusing me of making it a personal attack.