Friday’s post brought quite a reaction, particularly after my social-media consultant (who in real life is my daughter Annie) spent $50.00 to “boost” the post on my blog’s Facebook page. I’m not exactly sure where the money went, or why, as I’m challenged in these matters, but measured solely by “cost per insult” we definitely got good value. Things started out well. Some people agreed with me, others didn’t. It seemed that a civil conversation might actually break out. “I respect your views but do not agree,” wrote Adelina Clonts in a decided understatement. “I’m glad [Obama] has someone who thinks of him respectfully. Thank you for sharing your view.”

“I’ve read all the entries since mine,” wrote Joann Williams, “and am pleased that dialogue was taking place.”

Which turned out to be the red flag in front of the bull. “You’re a moron,” responded Matt Wargny, and we were off. As the disputants turned on each other with escalating and expletive-laced ferocity, I seemed to fade into the background.

“That’s probably not a bad thing,” said Annie. “But you are still the cause of their vitriol.”

As the process took on a life of its own, and more and more Obama denigrators joined in, it started to feel like a Trump rally – although Annie assured me I wasn’t in any immediate danger: “Nah, they just want to hear themselves talk.”

Facebook has a Compassion Team to make personal interactions “more human, and more humane.” Maybe they’ll launch a political arm.