Firstly, to say I'm tattling would imply a centralized authority. This is not so. This is an online community, and as such, I'm relating my poor treatment at the hands of one particular user (you) in order to see how we as a community can address these things. As we get more users, in particular, reddit refugees such as yourself, these kinds of incidents will grow more commonplace. It is therefore imperative, for the health of the community, that a code of etiquette be advanced (or at least discussion along such lines begins). Moreover, there is a striking difference between bombast and rhetorical flair directed at a subject of contention and ideas, and crossing over the line by hurling insults at an individual. Spirited debate is not the same as cyber-bullying. You crossed over into the latter. Let's be perfectly clear: you employed the exact same rhetorical devices I did, only you employed them poorly. You're not here because I was rude, you're here because I used your methods with more skill and passion than you did. You're not here because you think this should be some ivory tower of civility, we're here because you decided to splash the pond and are annoyed that someone else cannonballed you. You may think you employed some semblance of rhetorical skill, but the fact is you were simply being mean. Let me make this perfectly clear: it is incredibly easy to be mean online. It takes no skill to say that I'm "parroting... simplistic bullshit" and being told to "STFU & GTFO." And I really liked your information on the "Churchill quote" (I know it's not, now). That was good information. But you were so abrasive and self-righteous that it turned me off to anything else you had to say. You want to have a civil conversation? Steer things back towards civil conversation. It's not that difficult. If you wanted to have a civil discussion with me, you totally could have had one and you know it. And I attempted to. You then proceeded to tell me, in so many words, to take a hike. You don't want a civil conversation, though. You want a referee to step in and say I crossed the line. I've already stated that I'm appealing to the community, and not a centralized, unilateral authority. I want the community to come together and collectively decide what kind of tone we want to encourage and employ on the site. I am of the opinion that, if we must be acerbic, let us be acerbic towards ideas, and not at people. Conversely, you would like to be abrasive to anyone you unilaterally deem unworthy, on the face of the matter. I do believe that most members of hubski will share my opinion, as it's well-reasoned, reasonable, and conducive towards the community itself.