On occasion, something will strike a cord and generate a flurry of online discussion. Those are the moments a teacher lives for, incidentally - that's when I know you're really learning, rather than just regurgitating stuff that I've transmitted earlier. Inevitably we will occasionally get off-topic and debate the caliber of the Virginia Tech football team, or worse. I'll steer the conversation back to the course topic occasionally. I'll try to be quick to remind people that no one in this class needs more junk e-mail, and to spare everyone on the listserver the latest joke of the day, the rant of the day, etc.
Some topics trigger our emotions.
When we talk about sectionalism, or even tourism, it's appropriate to discuss the battle flag of the Confederacy. I know that can stir more in some people than just geography questions. If you get hot and bothered, count to 100. If you're still hot and bothered, contact me directly. Don't add fuel to a fire.