I only have myself to blame for this. I know full well that getting into an online debate is a bad move as I tend to get pretty passionate about my viewpoint and I love to argue until the cows come home (just ask my girlfriend and my mother!). Just point me towards an argument and I'll be right in there arguing my case and defending my corner. I once considered running for a seat in the British parliament when I was living in Scotland because politics and debating are two of my passions. But I tend to avoid arguments (especially online ones) because, as the Pringles advert goes, "once I pop, I just can't stop". Even when I tell myself to stop and bow out gracefully, I am back moments later to swing the next verbal punch. I'm like a drunk that doesn't know when to shut up and give up....

So it was today that I got myself into an online verbal tussle on the news blog "Obscure Store and Reading Room". Normally I just lurk there, behave myself and read the other comments but a story today just couldn't keep me silent so I gave my opinion. Then an angry black man called Allen weighed in and from there on in, it was all hell broken loose.

A racist? Me? I think not. I'm the most liberal minded person you could ever find. Yes, I do have some conservative views but definately not towards issues of discrimination and race. I think Allen has me mixed up with someone else.......

You can read the whole sorry fight here.