I'm stopping the sock puppeting.  The impersonations of MLJ are occasionally amusing, but they're more often distracting.  Note to MLJ:  I can't ban the people who are using your alias, because I don't know which one of you is you, so to speak.  What I am going to do is ban anyone who is repeatedly uncivil, so if you tone it down, you'll survive the winnowing process and they won't.

Further note:  terms like "Rethuglican" and "Dimocrat" are automatic grounds not merely for deletion, but for banning.  If you are very, very nice, I may unban you after one slip . . . but not two.

We want to hear what you think about this article. Submit a letter to the editor or write to letters@theatlantic.com.