When is it okay to no longer "be nice" to people who are not nice? In the business community where I live and work I participate in online discussion forums. I bring my thoughts and expertise to the table and say what I believe to be true. I welcome and enjoy healthy positive and productive conversations that explore possibilities. For the most part, a majority of people exchange their views in an intelligent and respectful manner.

Then there are those other few who jump in to negate, stifle, or stop the synergy that might ensue if it weren't for their critical commentary. They disguise their attack in the form of some intellectual argument that serves no purpose other than to demean the intent of the conversation. I have tried to be fair, honest, respectful, open-minded, and to engage their conversation in a positive way, only to have them continue to manipulate their agenda for no apparent positive outcome. It appears as though their only agenda is to push things into a corner so it will go no further.

I'm always hearing that I should not care, feel disturbed, or take it personally. Yet, the only obvious purpose that is discernable by me is their intention to personally attack my original intent for starting the conversation. It seems to me that there comes a time when enough is enough. It seems that a time must come that a response is required that calls them on their malicious intent.

Inevitably, this will be seen as retaliatory in nature but in truth, an end to the "game" is the desired outcome and reason for my final response. So now I'm considered the "powderkeg" (his words) but, they forgot that they're the person with the matches.