You can see it here, on the pages of DU as well. Someone will post a seemingly innocuous statement and then they'll be "corrected" by someone else who doesn't believe the statement lives up to their personal purity test. Then others will read the "dressing down" of the original poster and climb aboard the righteous indignation train. Sometimes it's just because they admire the person who originally did the "dressing down". Yes, there are cliques here on DU, and some will agree with a poster just to garner favor with that person. Believe me, it happens more than we'd like to think. Don't ask me to point out instances where this has happened, because that would mean certain DU members would be exposed, for good or ill.
Now, if someone posts something that goes beyond the pale of good taste and propriety, by all means that person should be corrected vehemently. But all too many times I think some statements - not intended to offend anyone - become the subject of nit-picking purists looking for a chance to be argumentative about something. Anything. Except for the occasional disruptor, the vast majority of DU members would sooner whack themselves on the thumb with a hammer than to shame or denigrate another member.
That's it. I fully expect to be "corrected" by some with nothing better to do. Have at it. 
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