hmmmmmm, well from what I see, the mods help us alot. I have rarely seen a thread that is locked right away, it takes a good while and many opionions before it is locked (from what I have seen). I think that the moderators lock a thread after they see it is not going anywhere but in a really hateful direction. I have seen threads that discuss so many different issues and have also seen threads that go in a terrible direction, I just don't think it aids any of us when you go there. You say that: "Thats what I do at work with my colleges, talk about yesterdays 9 oclock news, and what was in the paper" Discussions are one thing, but do you ever at work, get so pationate that it may really ruin your day or have someone say something that is so cruely put, your day is a mess. This is truely a different area, it is not like talking over the water cooler, because you don't see these people faces everyday, you may never have seen them before or after. I am glad that the moderators have certain rules, it helps keep us all in check, which even as adults we need to stop and really examine our reactions. That is just my 2 cents worth....and I am 47, so I have not been told what do for a very long time, of course I am always being told what to do and what is allowed by the government and laws. Sharen :-)