You know...it must be something in the air....this is not the only forum having these issues amongst its members.
Actually, I think the stress of the economy, elections, etc. has really gotten to all of us. There is another forum on which I am a very active participant - the Hatteras Owners’ Forum. Those guys over there are like family to each other (and to me - they’ve taught me darn near everything I know about diesel mechanics and complex marine systems) because we all have an undescribable passion for our classic Hatteras boats/yachts. We are a really tight bunch and always bend over backwards to help out each in our time of need - perfect example was the number of volunteers who traveled hundreds of miles to help one member who had to cross the Gulf of Mexico on one engine, with the possibility putting their own lives in danger, and each bringing something of importance like a life raft, an EPIRB (that that electronic thing that alerts the Coast Guard of your position when ya sink), etc. - and they had never even met that member in person until it was time to make the trip in an effort to get the crippled boat home. That’s just how tight we are.
Right after the election results, I noticed more and more arguments being had and things being said that were on the level of personal attacks and surprisingly to the point of racist remarks, something we had never seen over there. We had pretty much stopped talking about boats and boating. Some members packed their bags and left the forum in anger. No, the election didn’t go the way we ("we" as in the collective group of Hatteras owners) wanted it to go, and I think that’s when people just exploded, tempers flared at the wrong places and wrong times and for the wrong reasons, and the stress that had been bottled up in everyone finally found its release; unfortunately, we lashed out on those we love and hurt each other in the process, and it was like a chemical reaction that couldn't be stopped. I even caught myself "reaching out to slap someone" for something he said.
I think this behavior will pass in time, and those who "leave home" will surely return. We had this happen at the Hatteras forum once before. They have all returned. So, hang in there!