I have to echo a lot of the statements made here, however I'd like to make one point that a few people here seem to have missed. In a large number of cases, abuse is being directed at women who are members of the forum. I never have anything to say when comments are made in threads not related to a forum member, I may not like what is being said in a few cases, but an opinion is something everyone is entitled to. -Personally, I subscribe to the belief that if you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all, but that's not the issue here- What I have issue with is when personal abuse is directed at another member. Constructive criticism is one thing, repetitive flaming is another; and when the presenter being abused or slandered -and those are the cases I'm referring to- is a forum member that is what it amounts to. Good internet manners dictates that I chip in in those cases. I wouldn't stand by and watch a male member be attacked unfairly, why should I allow it to happen to a woman?
While I agree with some of the more... forthright members that some of the comments made on the forum are frankly embarrassing to read and I'm loathe to see this site become an altar to "babe worship", defending another member does not constitute "sucking up" in my book. The worrying thing to me is that too many people see
any defence of any female, member or not, as "sucking up". Certain members seem to believe that everyone is entitled to an opinion... If it's the same as their own. Any other is to be shouted down or derided as arse-kissing, whether that cry is justified or not. Too many people seem to want this place to become the exact opposite of a "babe worship" site.
For a prolonged period, this place trod the middle ground between the two extremes and allowed all opinions to flourish. Lately an opinion seems to be nothing more than a target for others to attack... While I don't post as much some and haven't been here as long as others, I like to think I'm a member in good standing. As such it's only natural that I feel the need to complain about flaming when it happens and to wade in when necessary. Anyone who knows my history here, will know that I'm just as quick to defend the male members of the forum when their reputations are attacked as the female ones.
Sorry for rambling, it seems to be something I'm good at