Jack, I always appreciate your emphasis on courtesy on the forum.
In answer to your question about what to do about inaccurate information--I think JohnK is a great role model. I have never seen him become personal in his posts. He simply provides information, often in the form of a link to a source. If it is an opinion that you disagree with I think it works well simply to offer another point of view without acknowledging the offending post or engaging with troublesome poster at all.
I have been dismayed on several occasions that when something innappropriate is said and the whole thing is perpetuated by far too many people feeling the need to chime in. I tend to look at it from the point of view of a newcomer to the forum. I'd be looking for solid information on topic. Perusing the threads, I come across one of these little flame wars right of the bat--I'm gone. The faster these things leave the front page the better, and the way that happens is for everyone to stop posting in the thread.
