Foxy, Botheration, Belly et. al. thank you for your surprising input. I've gone to the other extreme now, and feel all shy!

For those who stressed the "anonymity" aspect: that, unfortunately doesn't apply. When I write articles of course I use my own name and certain posters gleefully made the connection (they must have a lot of time on their hands: I mean imagine taking things so seriously you would bother to go to the trouble?). Which is why I completely freaked when mention was made of contacting my children and personal friends. God, Belly, I can empathise with your episode.

Trtl - right, I getcha. Yeah, it's a bit of a conundrum. I leave it alone if the subject is religion or abortion or the kinds of things people lay their ears back about. But when I see people working on mistaken assumptions, or through willfull ignorance, I get sucked in.

I figure we are all supposed to learn through communication, otherwise its pointless. I know that while I have a lot of "book-learning" I learn equally as much through other people. So when I am able to I try to share any info I have on things.

Have learned however that there are some who post only for the ego-massage of seeing their gems of wisdom in print...so them I now ignore. Like disruptive kids, they appear only to be looking for attention - good or bad makes no difference. I don't like playing such infantile games.

I have only just discovered this forum and thankfully your posts were very timely. I quickly realised in would be unwise to post under my own name!

I dont expect that this will be a place to just make nice and agree with everyone so that no feelings are hurt.

Dearest Botheration,

Thanks for your kind words. You've cheered me up so many times. I think you're simply Terrific! (There I've said it!) But you are!
Your sense of humour has had me giggling many a post, as well as being "right on the money," with most of them.

And by the way, welcome back. I've missed seeing you on the Forum
until recently. Good to have your input again.

Dearest Romany,

I meant what I wrote earlier. Please keep on contributing. We need more like you (intelligent - diplomatic - to the point) on this Forum.

In no forum is it wise or needed that we unmask ourselves, I however have done so, after continuing taunts.
StG why the heat? I have never found your posts any of them rude or in any way wrong.
On other forums I had posted for years, let me tell you StG I know it is the Internet.
Strangely I could not level a charge against in my view the worst offender, it would look like flaming.
But surely it is not a requirement that we be rude to those who think differently than us?
Take the rubbish put on DAVID BOAZ do we need to do that?
We in this forum, the only one I currently use are not as bad of as some others.
But we must understand we do not have to except it as it is just the Internet Belly, no answer to bad behavior.
Now the name thing ,it is a tactic some use , to constantly annoy some with taunts you do not even use your own name!
From the days of feather pens and ink pamphlets often did not include names, they never needed to.
Do not fall for it . keep your name safe.
But knowing my sign in Was my life's nick name, on every work shirt I bought and paid for just under Union forever Belly, meant I was never in hiding.
Posting my name and union here was however a mistake, some only find courage behind a tree, while hidden.
Fact remains no subject is taboo but some threads are if your views differ believe me it is true
regards all.

Nothing was meant to come across as aimed at you specifically, Belly. I see after re-reading my comment that it would come across that way. 'pologies.

Now that everyone is being nice to each other can we get back to fighting... Ha!

I too have been guilty at times of being a little tough on people... Having only been wrong once in my life I feel I am in the best position to comment on this thread... Ha!

I blame my parents for me and my only mistake was my first breath... Ha!

Now enough of this niceness... I have a weak stomach...