A good question ask! A “flame-war” in internet-parlance is a protracted public exchange between two or more protagonists wherein the content under discussion is subordinated to the pleasures of character-assassination, (veiled) innuendo, and general obnoxious bad taste. People who would ordinarily never call someone else a bad name to their face will, inspired by the emotional distance of the computer screen, launch into another poster with a vicious gusto that is appalling to witness. Differences of opinion, articulated with respect for the audience of this blog, are welcome; shouting matches (ONE SHOUTS ON THE INTERNET BY USING ALL CAPS, LOTS OF EXCLAMATION POINTS!!!!!, etc.) and withering scorn with the goal of inflicting emotional damage have no place in this forum.