In a previous post in this thread (11/18/2006 8:27:43 AM) EP made the following statement in response to one of my posts.

"The error in your logic is in adopting the erroneous view that only asteroids hit the Earth. This is in fact incorrect, and has been demonstrated to be incorrect, by studies of impacts with the Earth by specialists in the relevant fields."

Well, that's news to me! I said no such thing, and the reader may review my posts and see for himself.

It is obvious that meteoroids often strike the earth, and many of them are the remains of ancient comets. But I have never ruled out comets as a source of earth impactors, in fact, I understand the Tunguska strike in Siberia is considered by many to have been a comet. It is generally accepted that comets were a source of primordial biochemistry to the early earth. Comets have also been observed impacting Jupiter just within the last few years, so I cannot imagine how he came to the conclusion that I held these views.

In earlier posts about planetary defense , I did not mention comets specifically because the work amateurs do in discovering and monitoring them is already so well known to most participants in this forum that I assumed it was unnecessary to bring it up. I used the terms "impactors", "meteoroids", "asteroids" and "solar system debris" generically and pretty much interchangeably, and I meant to include comets and their fragments as well. Since many meteoroids are of cometary origin and share similar orbits I assumed that the reader would get my point.

In fact, to earth, it makes little difference whether the impactor is a comet or an asteroid or a meteoroid, all that really matters is its mass and velocity. The only difference in this context is that the orbital mechanics of comets and asteroids are generally different and their composition and telescopic appearance differs, so search and defense strategies will also differ.

Normally I would not consider it worthwhile to answer EP directly, but in this case he is putting words in my mouth which I never said which reflect a view I have never held, and then scolding me for it, so I must set the record straight.

No doubt, I have not heard the last of EP, but now that I have made my point clear it will no longer be necessary for me to trouble him again.
He has heard the last of me, and I would prefer he no longer address me directly. He is always free to go to Flame and speak his mind to his heart's content. He need not fear I'll follow.