Why do decent threads turn into p*ssing matches?

Can somebody answer this, seriously? I don't have a problem with threadjacks and most of the time is the most fun part of certain threads, but when you want to have a serious, non-juvenile discussion about issues like gay marriage, the presidential election, etc. etc., you have certain posters that start big friggin' problems? It's just bullshit. This site, thanks to Webby, is pretty respected, and I think having a lot of different opinions is good, but starting pissing matches is a huge problem. It gets good threads locked/deleted.

EDIT: Mods, I put this in the wrong forum, even though it was a response to the Yawn thread about gay marriage... it should have been in Anything Goes.

 

It has been my experience that political threads are all fine and dandy when the liberal mafia is able to make all of their claims and say whatever they want and go unchallenged -- they usually fall apart, however, when someone from the other side steps up and says "um, no" or challenges them in an area where the only logical answer is "It is just different!!" :

 

Because some people just like being dickheads.

 

Bud,

Here's your answer.

 

Because you are a Red Sox fan.

 

The funniest part is that its the same seven people. Like they are really going to change anybody's opinion on a subject.

 

You look familiar, but I just can't place you.



Oh, right! That guy!

 

Some people take pissing very seriously. I am not going to let someone outpiss me if I can help it.

 

And you are?

 

I think a reason threads turn into pissing matches is that "heavy" subjects- war, poverty, morality- evoke strong feelings and people have a hard time reeling in their emotions.

And then, there's a handful of posters who clearly get their jollies by making fools of themselves, like grotesques out of Dostoevsky or Sherwood Anderson...or Goya.

 

It's a very, VERY narrow group that provokes lockups. Can count 'em on one hand, with fingers left over.

 

Problem with that is, the harder you piss, the more splatter you get on your slacks.