I would hope that this year we end the practice of original posts that have no purpose other than to insult other posters. If I post an opinion that someone deems idiotic, I have no problem with someone posting in reply that I am an idiot.

    But posting a new post that does nothing but insult me is bad for the Board, discourages fringe readers from participating, and really serves no purpose other than to elicit insulting replies in kind. I don't really remember that happening until this past year when one poster started this practice and now others have followed his example. Let's stop that NOW.

This public service message is now concluded.

Whe I was in high school in the 60's, my best friend's father had a friend of 40 years, with whom he agreed on nothing in the political realm.  It seemed amazing to me that: A) anyone could live that long, and B) that they could stay friends.  I came to realize agreement in politics is a pretty minor matter.

As to Virginia text books - as I have said many times, my SO is a teacher in public school, as are the substantial majority the people with whom I socialize.  Very little in the system surprises me.