Ever pause to wonder why that thread was locked? Perhaps because it had ceased being a discussion concerning AH and was threatening to become a destructive bashfest between hot heads, racists, the outraged, and the offended.
I don't think this forum is intended for personal attacks, no matter how repugnant those persons' views may be. Nor is this a place to discuss those views: there are plenty of forums for that; in any case, those who cling to irrational positions rarely show themselves conducive to reasoned argumentation.
As for the "Bad apple or whole barrel" question, I find the idea of leveling that charge highly offensive. Because I read this bulletin board does not mean I have to subscribe to the views expressed here. Because I don't start an inappropriate thread because someone else said something inappropriate and offensive, doesn't mean I condone the offense. FWIW, 4 of the 6 posts made in the two hours intervening between the posting of the off-topic rant and the locking of the thread did express a negative opinion of said rant. It is a testimony to the maturity of the community that they didn't engage in mudslinging.
As with any international online community, here you will find hiding behind their personae any number of uncircumcised barbarians with views extremely offensive, either to you, or in absolute. For me, it adds to the pleasure of shootin' em down.
Dinger
(who just wanted to get in on a soon-to-be-locked thread)
[This message has been edited by Dinger (edited 10-22-1999).]