Retrochic - //Douglas -my whole point is that a poster chooses what they want to do -debate with free speech or just close the thread and stop getting 'wound up'. //
I don't think the two can be separated. In order to enter a debate, you need to be engaged sufficiently to join in, and remain exchanging ideas and views.
Part of that scenario can involve people getting very carried away and passionate, but I don't believe there is a 'cut off' point where debate stops and 'being wound up' starts, you have to assess these issues on a day-by-day, debate-by-debate, post-by-post basis.