Depends on what the topic is and how strongly I feel about it-for example the abortion thread last year or the death penalty thread-2 topics I have very strong feeling about. I try not to engage in the bitching posts even though somtimes it takes all of my strength to hold my fingers back.
There are a few posters I like and often if I see there name I will see what they have to say on the subject matter.
Some of the threads about racism has helped me understand what some people go through. I think those topics can be beneficial -at least to me

.