<!doctype html public "-//w3c//dtd html 4.0 transitional//en"> <html> First, to Bill:         I haven't been on this list as long as some, and I don't know you as well as some others.  Nevertheless, it seems to me you are more ready than in the past to apologize when you have been offensive, and if so, that's a step in the right direction.         It is your perception that you use satire and cynicism but that you do not rant and rave.  Many think otherwise.  We have to be much more careful how we word things written, since we readers do not have the benefit of facial expressions, vocal inflection, etc., to help us interpret your meaning.  We have no way of knowing that you are not any more serious than Groucho Marx, as you put it, so we take your words at face value. To the rest of us:         Most of us have a personal weakness in one area or another.  We keep working at it, hopefully, and we get better at it.  My wife and I know, after thirty years of marriage, that we still miscommunicate at times.         Is Bill getting better at expressing himself in a non-abrasive way than in the past?  It seems to me he is.  If he will continue working at expressing himself in a way that either is, or appears to be, less hostile, are we willing to accept his apology and go on from here?  I hope so.  People can change, but sometimes it is a long slow process.         Incidentally, I do not know Bill personally.  Other than seeing him once in passing at a convention, I have never met him.  I only know that there is so much strife in the world that if I can improve interpersonal relationships in even a little way, I would like to try. Regards, Clyde   Billbrpt@AOL.COM wrote: [major snips] <blockquote TYPE=CITE>I do apologize once again to anyone and everyone who took offense to the way I express things.</blockquote> <blockquote TYPE=CITE>We can all agree to disagree, yes, and I suggest we all do but let's leave at least some room for the minority's rights and opinions.</blockquote> <blockquote TYPE=CITE>If you read something I write and see "ranting and raving" or disturbed anger, please dismiss the thought entirely.  I don't rant and rave and I'm not angry at anyone even if my words may make it appear so.</blockquote> <blockquote TYPE=CITE>I can be quite quick and sharp with a come back, quite satirical and be quite cynical sounding but if you knew me personally, you'd know that I mean it no more seriously than Groucho Marx would have.  I respect all of you.</blockquote> </html>