As for me, I'm not so keen on accepting things that irk me as "the norm." I'm much more interested in "why is this the norm?"

If a person would say something super critical in front of the criticized person, I can respect that. Some people are even bold and rude, but at least they are true. At least they are open about being bold, rude, and expressing their opinion (even if flawed).

On the other hand, if a person were to say something on a message board, or behind someone's back, under a condition (pretended or real) that their real true self-image was protected by the guise of anonymity, THAT is weak. THAT is DUPLICITY, to portray harmless virtue in person but take shots anonymously in hopes to damage someone. There is no honor in that. We all struggle with this at points in our life.

For example, when you say "This is an extremely basic concept. Not sure why so many CBers struggle with it." I can't be 100% sure on your intent, but it seems like you are trying to be condescending. I wouldn't want someone I respected to talk to me like that in person.

Whenever I talk to someone like that, I usually regret it, and have to apologize--worse still many times I find that my perspective was much too limited in the first place and the person I was talking down to actually had a good point. I have to be better here, even this very day.

Nothing but love, man. I just think we can make the forum better if we exercised some restraint the next time we say negative things about someone on our beloved Cougars.