And the way out is to try not to respond, or to respond cordially in a kind of sideways communication that keeps our humanity in sight. 

For example, Norm and I can get along reasonably well, though we agree on almost nothing as long as he has a cold.  (Keep on sniffling, Norm.) 

So, an attempt to de-escalate the disagreements should always be a considered option.

In that sense, no matter how AL might have intended his message to you, you could take it face value and say, sure, why not? Just turn sideways and let any provocation in the message go right by you. 

I try to follow my own advice in this regard and am sometimes successful.  Always helps me when the cooler heads here demonstrate their "play the ball, not the man" message by calling me a jerk.  It's a circular argument and the only solution I see is that we each individually seek ways to communicate without being jerks or calling each other jerks. 

Some folks like emoticons to manage this.  Insert the happy, handshake style emoticon of your choice in this area:   _________

You need to drop the mindreading act.  You are not good at it.

I asked a question to know whether or not you were encouraging discussion. After yesterday's events, it was a very fair question. 

You are too busy trying to live inside my head and direct my motives.

YOU let it go.

to clarify the 2nd.  I like the constitution and especially the bill of rights and the 14th amendment.  Any discussion about amending the constitution to clarify gun rights plays into all the fears that many of us about violations of our constitutionally protected rights.

I think like free speech, the questions should all be decided by the Courts, interpreting the constitutional meaning of attempts to infringe these rights.  Local rules or federal rules that in some way limit the right to bear arms should proceed up to the SC.  

I would much prefer to have the public discussion focused on the violations of fourth and fifth amendment rights that have been occurring now for several years.  All of the rights are important.

well, maybe not the 7th amendment rights -

Amendment VII

In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

We can cordially agree to disagree on this.