You start most of the brawls here, TB, with your deliberately provocative daily "updates" and your "read this" links, and your general dismissive arrogance. The choice of the biker bar metaphor was not accidental. You haven't even noticed how Bowser has copied your style to the letter. If you had you would have been shamed into stopping a long time ago.

Sure, we all do it, occasionally. But you seem to be the one who has decided to make the world safe for democracy, at least your brand of it, and you have chosen to start right here in the Zone all by yourself. Why do we have to bear the brunt of your libertarian jihad? And I have to admit, it does bring out the worst in some of us, on both sides of the aisle. Do you really expect that some of us are not going to be just slightly put off by you coming here and so regally instructing us. I suspect you have mistaken our silence for timidity, or aquiescence, or for simply being overwhelmed by your eloquence.

The sad thing about it is that you haven't been called on it because we actually enjoy sparring with you now and again, and we truly appreciate your exceptional posts on non-partisan issues. I really think that many of us are afraid that if we tell you off once and for all you'll feel you have to withdraw just to save face, which would be a shame.

Well, I'll tell you what I'm going to do. I'll make it easy for you. I have to take a month or so off to resolve some personal work and routine medical issues. It will give me time to cool off from this disgraceful and unnecessary little episode and give you the opportunity to reflect on what we've talked about. And neither of us will have to fear that others might think that one of us has driven the other off.

I'll continue to monitor the Zone, and if I feel the level of discourse has improved, I will be delighted to return. If not, I can always choose to stay away. Then again, I might not. By now, everyone should realize I don't have any "face" that needs preserving, and I have no philosophical or political positions I am obligated to promote.