>>
>>Marc,
>>
>>Granny awards?
>
>Sometimes I wonder if these typoes are Freudian ...
>

I wouldn't touch that remark with a ten foot psychiatrist ;-)

>>
>>Nope, no Rule #3 for us. Seriously, I have no qualms about engaging in spirited, even passionate, debate over an issue. However, there must be a foundation of respect. Without it, debate turns into a shouting match. I also think that we sometimes can take these things (and ourselves) far too seriously. When this happens, people get "me-centric", and forget to be considerate of others. I mean there are a few more important issues going on out in the world, aren't there?
>>
>On the other hand, there is nothing like a good hot debate, is there? It gives you the opportunity to express your thoughts and even change your mind (you will not be surprised if I tell you that I find this a difficult thing to do). The me-centricity is a small price to pay, as long as it remains within the limits.
>

Granted, but I think with the "me-centricity" the limits can be too easily exceeded. Once I forget that you and I share some of the very same qualities, and that you are entitled to your own set of likes, dislikes, and opinions, I've lost respect for you, whether I realize it or not. That's the shame, we both deserve it. I think that it's very easy to do that if I'm only concerned with "me".

>>I consider you and all of the folks here at the UT an invaluable resource. Thanks for sharing your opinions.
>
>Thanks for me and for all the folks ... Likewise BTW.
>
>>
>>And finally, since some of us (yours truly included) sometimes seem bent on turning this into the "Laffs-R-Us", a little culture:
>
>Here I'm lost. I keep trying to say this loud, but "Laffs-R-Us", is really beyond my comprehension. Help.
>

My apologies for what I should have realized would be an unclear metaphor. Here in the U.S. (and perhaps Canada too) there's a national toy store chain, named: "Toys-R-Us" (The "R" is backwards BTW, but this defective keyboard doesn't have one of those :-)). To explain the obivous, since the store has mostly toys, and since the purpose of this forum is not joke telling, wise cracking, etc...

>>
>>"I may disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - Voltaire
>>
>Fooooiiiie. I _am_ impressed. You must have Quotation CD on line no? :)
>

Don't be. I picked up that quote from an old public affairs TV show called, "Your Right To Say It", that aired in Chicago back in the '60s. No Quotation CD for me, but given I have two high school aged children, may I ought to get one. Since you seem impressed by that quote, and in light of the application of rule #3, consider the following:

"Every man is as heaven made him, and sometimes a good deal worse." - Cervantes

Regards,

George