Here's one of those relatively rare instances where I disagree with Mike. I hate the idea of a separate, "join by choice" area to address this particular issue.
My reasons are both selfish and not. On the "not" side, I'm of the opinion such a forum would encourage the very discussions I have zero interest in reading - not simply provide an outlet for the occasional controversial topic. Also, emotions will certainly flare over into the public areas of the site. Such an area will be ripe with battles. Alliances and oppositions will be formed, and such things don't simply get turned on/off like a light switch when one switches between areas of the site.
On the selfish side - while the public at large would have the choice of not seeing the threads, I won't have that luxury. As an admin, I see everything - I can't turn it off. And one of the responsibilities I share with Mike, is ensuring obvious lines don't get crossed...meaning, I'd not only see the conversations, I'd be forced to read them to ensure some level of civility remained.
I too, don't know what the answer is. My post starting this thread had the unintended, but perhaps predictable consequence of pushing everybody too far in the opposite direction. Now, we've got folks thinking everything must be flowers, butterflies and ponies, or the topic is off-limits. The C-Dory lawsuit thread, which I had to lock due to some incredibly rude SOB (you know who you are), is a perfect example. There's nothing wrong with that thread...it's factual, and relates directly to us and the factory. Had I not bitched so loudly just before it was posted, my guess is calm heads would have prevailed there...instead, we ended up with everyone suggesting it wasn't a "happy" thread, and to stop discussing it.
I'm just asking for a little common sense, a whole lot of civility, and for members to treat each other like good friends. If people can pull that off, all the other problems will address themselves.