>George --
>
>Although you and John have disagreed, your 'debates' have sharpened the issues, and have really helped me think through my plans. I agree that most of what has been said in these discussions -- when it comes to predicting the future -- is in the category of 'opinion'. That's why I thought up the plan I did; I believe it will prepare me well no matter what the outcome. If VFP succeeds, so will I. If VFP does not succeed, I will anyway.
>

Pete,

As I said previously, I think you've made the correct decision. I also said earlier that as individuals tend to color situations given their own POVs and personal opinions and prejudices. Here's a story to illustrate this:

About 10 years ago at my local church, the was a situation that polarized people into basically two distinct camps. So volatile was the situation that the opposing sides had to meet with the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta and an outside mediator.

I was in the position of being caught in the middle. I knew and respected people on both sides and was friendly with them. Further, I wasn't involved in the meeting.

Afterwards, I heard about the meeting from both sides. So distinctly different were the descriptions that it was hard to believe that both were at the same meeting. Nevertheless, they were. My initial reaction was, "Some here's lying." However, initial reactions are often incorrect. In this case, I realized that both sides were being truthful, they were, however, "coloring" the situation in correspondence with their own POVs.

So what was the truth? In all likelihood probably somewhere in the middle. I suspect, that may be the case here.