Hotrodpaint wrote: I belong to a wide variety of message boards. I am noticing a pattern...many of them seem to attract a few radical personalities, who then start to dominate the posts.

That does not seem to be the case here....thank you God!
I used to be pretty much dedicated to one site. Been a member there from just about their get-go, and still am. But as Hotrodpaint, stated.....some tend "to attact a few radical personalities, who then start to dominate the posts..... so I found myself seeking satisfaction elsewhere. I still go there, but the allure has been tarnished . Today CHR is my number one. I joined here and have been very satisfied with everything here and most of the members are not only experienced and knowledgeable, but they are also always interested in helping others, without serious criticism.

To broaden my rodding experience, I also joined other sites just to see what was going on elsewhere in the world of rodding. Among others, the HAMB, Hotrodders.com, and OZRodders (Aussie). I have run across many people from these sites who are also members elsewhere. Not surprising that we all share a common intereest. I think it is good to be able to see what others in our hobby are doing. Creativity is not exclusive to the USA. (I just love the Aussie 38/39 Ford slopers, damn shame they never built them here )

I have never enjoyed confrontation, so I don't go places to create a problem or give a false impression. Sure there are some real A-holes out there, but with time and maturity, you can learn to spot them and avoid them. If you can't then growing thick skin may be a warranted.