it's difficult to respect those who advocate war and all that goes with it, the torture, maiming, all the various brutalities.

And, truly, it's difficult to respect those who feel sorry for 'em when they are called on the carpet, who defend those advocates.

On CE there are very valid points raised. They could, if the facts warranted, be refuted. Folks who have been demonstrated to be wrong could admit it. The issue would be gone, done, over.

And, if you'll notice, this is the Flame Board.

Some of us have read where global warming is nonsense, and watched the threaded neocon circle-jerks regarding that. We've watched the Dan Rather gloating ad nauseum. Some of us have watched the common definitions of words being denied in order to excuse cruelty, lying and incompetence. To not confront that is not in my being. There are more, that'll suffice.

I've read your defenses of R. L. Of a woman who advocated ALL the brutality in Iraq because she "doesn't like dictators". Of FrankC, a marginally intelligent person who tries to be a philosopher while advocating war. And now of Tom.

Are my comments farther out than R. L. in his attacks on someone who believes in something as innocent as UFOs? Please! He was rewarded with his judgement becoming the standard for the flagship board. Go figure.

I must have been incredibly effective. Or way out of bounds.

Sigh.

A trait I particularly enjoy about myself is the ability to just plain walk away from a situation. As a kid I read that Helen Keller was asked about an unkind comment and replied, "I distinctly remember forgetting that." Maybe it was Mother Teresa. Doesn't matter. I cultivated the trait as best I could.

Am I sorry for any of the comments you mentioned. No. In fact, as a General Officer once told a trembling junior officer, "That's a 'Hell, No, Mr. Bowser!!'" With all due respect, I guess it's a "hell, no". Not sorry in the slightest.

And as a comedian used to say on Saturday Night Live, "talk amongst yourselves". 'Cause I won't be reading it.

Arf, and adios. (Strong talk, Bow. Maybe a year. Might read the Space Board. Dunno.)