Sigh. If you guys honestly want to make this a referendum on which town is the bestest, toughest hometown ever or search for some buried -ism to rile your contrariness, then knock yourself. That's not what I was saying.

I'm afraid I don't agree. And like you, I grew up in a town very similar to this one.

This isn't to say that I don't feel sorry for these people. Most of us wouldn't look great either if we had a harsh spotlight shone on some of our choices and attitudes.

You're right that it is not OK to paint everyone in the…

The town wasn't destroyed for what two people did, it was destroyed for what so many refused to do.

He can't say.

She's not saying you can't say it. She's saying if you do don't cry when you get flak

No one is the arbiter and everyone is the arbiter. The point is that declaring yourself exempt from all feedback—and telling all critics that they're oversensitive and/or unqualified—is an irresponsible, inhumane way to treat other people.

That Harlequin on the right did all he could, but the Ticktockman finally got him.