That's because I have a poor memory, but now that you've reminded me, I'll be banning you. I will disagree about newcomers being ignored because, as far as I can see, our members go out of their way to greet newcomers nicely and participate in their posts when they post.
Jenna my fault for not proper use of language. Actually, I meant discussion. IMO if someone puts up a thread, they probably want to discuss it, so even if I could care less about the topic, I will try to at least post something on it so as not to ignore them. Of course, most topics are interesting enough to comment on.
Just for the record, I read most of the posts on here but don't always respond. The main reason is because I'm English and there are so many topics I simply cannot join in with. So, Marie, don't think your posts are ignored. I'm surely not the only one who simply has nothing to say.
I also read a lot of posts, but sometimes feel I should not respond because I don't have what I'd consider a proper response (because I don't know much about it). No use in adding my blah-blah-blah I don't know what I'm talking about.
Simply checking a like box is my response to many posts. I have good reasons for not verbally replying to many posts. I certainly am not going to say something, simply for the sake of validating someone's existence here. Seeing my check or an emoticon tells them I've read their post.
Sometimes I wish we could have a civil political dialogue but in the present state of the world, probably not possible.
I think we do pretty well at it here at SOC, and it's not as if we can't discuss politics at all. Works for me. I like @Ken Anderson's rules — don't be too annoying, don't get too annoyed, play well.
I have one friend who I can discuss anything with and we can disagree and not get offended. It's a Good Thing to have ones preconceptions challenged in a respectful factual manner.