i think a moderate amount of venting is useful, but then again, venting is hard to be a moderate thing until it all comes out and it seems like it will never end. i myself find it as a compliment that people feel they can vent with me, i don't judge or retaliate and keep things private. i get angry with my mother because she doesn't like me being on this site because she thinks it is a bad thing to dwell on other peoples problems, but i consider it a gift i have to be here and know a little about how to listen. the main thing is to really LISTEN.