If you partake in the Facebook Phenomenon, you've undoubtedly stumbled across those participating in the gun control exchange.

I have no interest in propogating that debate in this forum, but what I would like to engaeg in is how some on Facebook react to such discussions with anger and contempt.  I have heard people literally say (more often to others, not me as I rarely engage via computer these days), "Facebook is no place for politics!"

Really?!?  So let me get this straight.  We all can be inundated with your damn Farmville requests, mocked by your incredible Bejeweled Blitz scores, humbled by your luxurious vacations and envious of the wonderful relationship you have with your greek god-like "hubby" (ick! and how ironic that his posts never seem similar to yours).  Yet someone with half a brain more than you wants to engage in something with even remotely socially redeeming value, and that is off limits from this pure and holy vehicle of banter.

What gives people such a feeling of empowerment these days that leads them to believe that they have a right to traverse the public universe without ever having to be bothered or offended by anyone else?