Take Me To Post Comment Form When this forum was created, it was considered a critical tool to debate the issues important to the community, its members, or general topics regarded important to the blogger. As this forum is open to all participants it will undoubtedly have a diverse array of persons accompanied with associated differing personality types and opinions participating in the discussion of topics presented. The key to being productive as a blogger is maintaing civility in posting comments. Slander and hate messages serve no useful purpose in furthering the dialogue. Usually it will cease further conversation abruptly as an all out word fencing match ensues. Many persons enjoy this type of activity instead of contributing ideas and solutions to the issue being discussed thus, being unproductive partcipants. It is frustrating for those who wish to have honest and civilized debate to conduct a conversation with the writer of the blog and also with those who are actively posting comments when such intrusive persons post negative attacks against anyone expressing an opinion. These negative attacks are attempts to bully someone into not participating in this forum and should, in my opinion, be ignored. I must admit it is hard to ignore a blogger who is personally attacking you, but it serves no purpose to engage that type of dialogue other than solely for the amusement of the anonymous cyber bully. I am a free lance writer, a published opinion columnist and a social commentator/philosopher so I engage frequently in controversial topics which may initiate these types of responses. I have come to expect it from those in our community who react with close minded responses, but when it becomes personal with slanderous and hateful attacks NO RESPONSE is better than a well intentioned response in defense as experience has taught me. In addition, I encourage anyone experiencing these negative attacks to contact the editor for resolution. If we allow individuals to engage in cyber bullying we are defeating the purpose of this forum and more importantly, removing the welcome mat for those who would otherwise not participate. It has come to my attention that blogging has required one to have quite thick skin! when it should be a free flow of ideas without recrimination for one's input!