Yes, we live in a democracy and yes, individuals are entitled to their opinion. What is often forgotten by those who like to invoke this entitlement as support for their view, is that they are also entitled to be wrong.

They do not like to be wrong. or worse, told that they are wrong, or worse still, proven that they are wrong. When people cannot refute the proven positions of others or that their own position has been proven wrong, the next ploy is to attack the messenger all the while bemoaning the fact that their right to their opinion has been usurped.

And, the internet and topical forums are the worst places for this.

I'm very grateful for the gargantuan efforts displayed here to maintain decorum.