bp...

First, you were not acting like an ***** ****. Good Lord.

Second, stop beating yourself up. You were being assertive, being passionate about something. That is a good thing.

It seems as though when people on this board take a stand and assert themselves that is a behavior that is "looked down upon". I think, in part, it is due to the fact that many of the posters here, including myself, are emotionally raw and have pretty thin skins. I know I have over reacted a couple times when someone was assertive and direct with me.

We should encourage, not discourage, people to be assertive and direct. And, by saying that I am not saying that people have the license to be over powering, uncivil and disrespectful. State your mind, be civil and respectful. But, don't apologize for it. We have to be able to deal with and handle controversy and confrontation. It doesn't have to be a bad thing.