COWING: I work at home because I *can* Mark.

I thought it was because NASA let you go, don't recall you ever claiming you left NASA voluntarily to start a home business. Regardless, your intolerance of even slight differences of opinion are not conducive at all to a team work environment. And if you were as hot headed at NASA as you are on this BBS I have little doubt that there was more than random choice involved in you being let go.

COWING: As for your other comments, all you do is post half-baked ideas on a space-related BBS. Otherwise, you *do* NOTHING.

Since space is a hobby for me it may be that many of my comments are half baked, but then again I started making rare Earth comments long before leading scientists in related fields published a book on it, can spot a big gaping hole in the rebuttals to Zubrin's PR piece on back contamination that you seem oblivious to, have provided detailed references to counter BD and EP nonsense as opposed to your high level name calling etc. Few people here miss those brilliant post of yours although I'm sure many visit your sites.

I do have a day job and a family Keith which take up quite a bit of time and have prevented me from being as active as I once was in the MS before my son's birth.

Cowing: I will let my actions speak for themselves.

They do. They indicate an egotistical person intolerant of disagreement. Just like you accuse Zubrin of being yet I have never seen him act as big an ass as you.

COWING: No one is forcing you to read anything I write, so if you are annoyed by these things then it is your own fault.

No one ever claimed force. Have you been studying hard in the BD and EP school of debate? I enjoy what you write at your sites. I do not enjoy being attacked for no reason. If you expect people to like being attacked by you or not be annoyed by such attacks your people skills are even worse than I thought.

Cowing: Now please excuse me while I get back to *doing* outside my tent flap - and not talking. Oh yes, I don't need - or want - your help.

I never claimed you wanted my help. My "help" was offered because you so seldom make an appearence to speak for yourself these days and despite your determination to build antagonism between us I still feel you deserve proper credit for your work. I do not feel the Mars Society should be given credit for the work of others.

You also failed to address entirely your ridiculous over reaction to a minor error. You don't build organizations or consensus with such an attitude. Learn to take the constructive criticism and honest disagreement you think is so valuable when it flows from you to others and grow-up.