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Recently I have been contacted by a number of ASF members who have noted an increasing amount of deliberate unpleasantness and nastiness directed at those with different political opinions or who advocate alternative trading or investment approaches. I should point out that as far as I can tell, those who adopt a deliberately antagonistic and confrontational posting style represent a very small percentage of the ASF membership, but their actions are disruptive, damage community cohesion, and may in some cases discourage others from contributing.

I have no objection to passionate, robust debate but I expect everyone to treat others with a basic level of respect, irrespective of their views and opinions. Let's not let ASF degenerate into pointless bickering, personal attacks, and rudeness. It is possible to disagree respectfully, and the end result is a much more civil and constructive discussion.

If you have some feedback to offer regarding this issue, please feel free to post it in this thread. I would be very disappointed to think that some ASF members are deliberately not posting because of the intimidatory posting styles of a very small minority. While I understand that occasionally people lose their temper and that some conflict is inevitable on an internet forum, I won't hesitate to come down hard on those who are routinely guilty of anti-social and deliberately rude and disruptive behaviour. It's not the kind of atmosphere I want here at ASF.