Well, you quoted me, and upon reflection the first part of that post could have caused hurt feelings. If I felt right about my action, I wouldn't have tried to preemptively defend it. It's like saying, "I'm not a racist, but..."
I think this thread may actually encourage passive-aggressive venting of forum-based grievances, and lead to a need for moderator vigilance. I certainly took encouragement, and I needed the reminder of the rules.
Posting our unpopular opinions may give us a chance to get things off our chests, but may require too much of others who read to not argue against the opinions. I think this thread, started with humor, is likely a tinder box.
Yes, I quoted you because I wanted to reassure you that it wasn't offensive and I doubt anyone else saw it that way. Then I referred to the others above to stay calm because they were fighting. Posts which have now been deleted. Guess you missed that. What a mess, I should've just shut up.
I agree, it could encourage that, but I feel as long as we avoid getting personal it can work, and it did so this past week. Thus, I really wasn't referring to your post, because I didn't feel you were doing so. What you call a preemptive defence to me is a polite way of saying that you didn't want to offend someone like Jean perhaps?
As for restraining oneself, it's not a problem to me. The thread's premise is clear and I don't see the point in attacking each other's opinions. This is a friendly community, and yet I could have gotten in one or two arguments over the past month. But I let it slide, because I'm just here to relate, not to proselytise.
As for what you wrote, it doesn't bother me, but considering it does you and some others it was a legitimate point to make.