Well, yes I do have to admit I got slightly carried away there. I
retract the suggestion that there be REQUIREMENTS for courtesy and
consideration, but I do still think that SUGGESTED guidelines might be
useful. I also agree with Ruth that many of these things do actually
originate in misunderstandings rather than hostile intentions, and I
think it's a really good idea to just assume misunderstanding from the
beginning. It's good for all of us to work on growing thicker skins.
It's also good for all of us to think about our words when attacking an
idea, so we don't inadvertantly make it a personal attack instead.
Perhaps something like that would be a sufficient guideline.