"I am beginning to wonder about you."

You've "wondered" for a while, "known" for a while longer.

"You rant for two days about Bush inheriting the world's strongest economy followed by left coast inuendo and you expect everyone to zero in on the single fact and not give you the caning that you deserve."

Rant? Pointing out that the US economy is the strongest in the world?

"If I told you that on Augus 25 1997, the hottest day of the year, I pissed on an okra plant and it sprouted strawberries, would it really matter that it was the hottest day of the year?"

I don't think it would matter at all. And, if it could be demonstrated that 8-25 was the hottest day of '97, I wouldn't try to deny that fact just because you said it you said it had been.

"Now you get all up in the air over Ari's comments and want him sent to a gulag. Hell, he should get a medal for standing in front of those idiots day after day. My god, if we punish Ari like that, what do we do to Tom and Fritz? Drawn and quartered perhaps?"

Not a medal for standing up there and blaming the current violence in the Middle East on Clinton. I don't think that is rational, and it's a bit scary to have those folks thinking like that. And, the US survived Nancy Reagan's astrologer.

"Get a grip Bowser. Your thinly veiled elitist condescension (only works if you are elite) and backhanded insults are getting tiresome and you are starting to look silly. When you start getting flayed by Dan it is time for some introspection."

I don't blame Dan for being upset with me, though I don't understand the venue. I pointed out that Afghanistan isn't like a Western country, with people just waiting for and wanting a Western-style government. It's a bunch of tribes, with poorly educated, by our standards, people, no real free, widely disseminated press and no history of or interest in a "democratic" process. Pointing out that it will be hard to impose a stabile government along the lines of those of the West? I suggested the US needs to work hard to avoid another Vietnam and be very aggressive in protecting our borders. Still seems reasonable to me and line with the most conservative of this board. And the "Bowser Doctrine" is a bit to the right of Falwell, Robertson and this board.

As far as insults get, read what's written about me. I think you'll find I've been comparatively restrained.

"Elitist" - not sure what that means. If that means saying "I think you're embarassing yourself" rather than "You are a SOB", I suppose that would fit. Not sure how fair that is.

"Condescension" - unfortunately that's more understandable than "elitist". On my limited behalf I'll point out that it's hard to take the denial of reality, over and over, very seriously. What would you feel if I spent 2 or 3 or 4 posts denying that 8-25-97 were the hottest day of the year if it were easy to prove it had been? Would you hold my reasoning abilities in high regard? I hope not. Would your attacks on my thinking process be condescending, or would you be sweetness, light and toleration? I have my suspicions there.

"And, in case you hadn't noticed you are starting to attract flies."

I suspect that means Lindy, not you or eb or Brosz.

There are a lot of valid viewpoints in this world. And the US is becoming more and more diverse. While it's not at all necessary to agree with anyone, it may make sense to try to understand others. And don't worry about me - I'm going to get tired and bored and wander off, probably sooner than later, for a while, if history is an indicator.

Regards,

Arf