There's a time when the best thing you can do is just fade into the background, Nash. The people that are such negative influences won't change anyway. They'll just turn every thread into... this.
So, take the intelligent conversation to that other bulletin board... the one with the "roll call" thread. This BB is a place for keeping in touch with those old faces that one likes even though one doesn't always agree. Now there are so many here that I dislike even when I do agree.
I have to take issue with your jab at Seagoon though; I find him to be one of the most well-reasoned, well-informed posters on this BB. Even though I only agree with his conclusions half of the time, I still find his posts thought provoking and worthy of discussion.
Don't let the 75% crap ruin the 25% good stuff, bud.