Personal insults don't add anything to a conversation, don't do
anything for either the author or the target, and generally make the
list a much less sociable place. It may be a side effect of the Northern
Summer, but the rate of people leaving the list is currently about
triple the usual level (and some people have made a point of noting the
current "discussions").
I generally don't like to butt in, but could those who would think to
flame take a day before sending their replies (or at least an hour)? You
might be surprised at how different things look.
Let's all calm down before I have to start sending people to a corner
with a pointy hat...
cheers
-steve