Mark_uk, Threads change direction and shift just like any other current where there's wind, water, sandbars, logs, crocodiles, and the occasional snag or wreck... much less the swimmers and guys on jetskis dashing through! We can not possibly monitor every single post to every single thread as it happens.. nor can we tell in advance which threads will flame out or which ones start nasty but turn civil. Civility and fair exchange of ideas has been known to happen and we need to allow for that possibility, too, rather than locking every thing on site. If something looks like it is degenerating, we will often post a request that folks stick to the issues, hoping to redirect commentary. If the thread continues to go downhill, we will act as needed. Would you rather that we marched through in jackboots and immediately curtailed all discussion that wasn't 100% technical? With freedom comes responsibility, and you are also responsible for your posts and for monitoring the reaction. If you feel that you are being attacked, it is better to send a staff member an IM with link, because that should get attention to the problem area more quickly. Carolly Renderosity Moderator