good stuff; I agree w/ you in the sense that individuals might not feel comfortable being totally honest with their opinions because they fear bad rep points, which somewhat defeats the purpose of internet anonymity. But at the same time, I find the rep thing pretty fun and I don't know if unworthy reasons for giving bad rep can be regulated, as you said. I find if I'm going to offer a counterpoint on something, I do in a carefully nonpartisan way, such that I can deliver my thoughts but not make the other guy feel like I'm opposing him. I try to make people feel like we're discussing what is right, not merely who is right. I generally include a point of agreement along with my points of disagreement.