"I also realize this is the internet, and just about anything goes, but given that this is a young community I thought this would be a good opportunity for us to discuss what kind of community we want to become, in terms of how we treat each other online. So: the field is open. I'd appreciate your feedback. It will help me and others decide if we wish to continue using the site."

That's "deal with this issue or I'm taking my ball and going home."

...user for one day.

Your "poor treatment" was me excoriating an inflammatory article you linked, and pointing out that the quote you intended to dismantle an argument had exactly the opposite effect. MAKE NO MISTAKE: Anyone who is a fan of Elizabeth Warren is going to be offended by Libertarian screeds. Perhaps you did not know this. If not, that's your fault. Perhaps you did not know that saying "When, exactly, did doing good for society come to equal paying off a gigantic, intrusive, abusive global empire?" is going to be offensive when we're talking about public works. If not, that's your fault. And should you say these offensive things and then get an offensive response, it is up to you to steer things back towards civility.

I said nothing about you. I said nothing about your beliefs, about your statements, about anything you, personally, contributed to the discussion. I attacked the article you linked mercilessly because it is undeserving of mercy. I dismantled your assertion that it was a Churchill quote but I did so dispassionately. Did I use caps? Certainly. That and italics are the only form of emphasis we have here. Meanwhile, the sum total of your response has been "you're a meanie and I'm not going to talk to you."

So, what "line" did I cross by "hurling" what "insults?" If your heart of hearts is really that deeply in the Mises.org article, defend it. Regardless of whether or not you think what I did took "rhetorical skill" at least I'm trying to have a discussion. You? You'd rather put wrist to forehead and declare a case of the vapors. Again, I've insulted no one - but I've been called an "asshat" three times now. Are you really trying to suggest this is somehow my fault?

You made no attempts whatsoever to have a civil conversation. You demanded an apology. I don't know you, you don't know me. Our first interaction was you throwing up a patently offensive libertarian hit-piece, which I then dismantled - and which you chose to take personally. Apologize? From the minute I attacked your link you've been demanding better treatment of you. More than that, you've been doing so by attacking me.

You want a civil conversation? Step back, defend your ideas, and recognize that if you put something forth for discussion, it will be debated.