On reading most people you're right on. It's just my opinion that you and many others on here are blinded to Tom.

My comments about you being a follower were restricted to that interaction only and it wasn't meant as disrespect. He's that good.

Jody, I've lived a rich and full life on this Earth and that has brought me into contact with some master manipulators. As I've stated before, I'm fully capable of utilizing that talent myself and have played that role from time to time. I like to believe my targets deserved it in most cases. I tend to go after bullies and I've been marvelously successful bringing them down when I've so chosen.

So, if I come off smug on this issue, it's because I'm also that good in this realm and probably better. By the way, ER has that talent as well. I spotted it almost immediately and also knew he uses it for benevolent ideals. He and I would be good friends in real life if our paths crossed.

The internet is tough for fighting other manipulators and it's why we get frustrated and leave from time to time. All you have is words and it's very easy for an eloquent writer with time on their hands to be extremely convincing and much tougher to show the dishonesty in their words and actions. You don't get clues from their body language and their overall appearance. Guys like Tom would probably not be as effective in real life because I don't sense the real passion, compassion, and confidence I see in people like Mary Anne, ER, Bowser, and you as well. He lets others do the talking for him when his own talents of writing and conversation fail him, falling back to links to partisan information. Then he disparages the reader if they don't swallow it whole. Imagine someone trying that tactic in real face-to-face conversation. They'd end up talking to themselves and probably get their asses kicked from time to time.

This is a game for guys like Tom. It's an alter-ego, a fantasy persona. He's more than likely an easy to get along with individual in real life. His family seems happy and well-adjusted and he's had success in the workplace.

It's not a game for me Jody. I have two teenage sons that I'd like see grow up in a world where they don't have to worry about being sent off to an unjust war to have their limbs ripped off and a world where they won't be manipulated like puppets by the rich, powerful, and greedy. I want them to live without fear and to have compassion for others not so lucky as they are. Were you and I to talk in person about these things, the passion for these issues that you see in my printed text would be evident.

I like that you want to be friends with people here in Habitable Zone and that you have the quality of a peace-maker. It's a hugely admirable trait. It's just part of my personality to be very concerned that people that give so freely don't end up with cases of snake oil.

Art