> Van-agon seems to contain the word "van" 
>  as a description of the vehicle classification 
> and "agon" may represent the word agony. 

This made me laugh out loud.  No vehicle has offers the owner as many
rewards as a Vanagon (particularly a Westfalia and/or Syncro), yet none can
be quite as frustrating at times in their quirkiness.  It's surely a
love-hate relationship.  Of course, for most of us the love far outweighs
the hate, or we wouldn't be here.  Still, your explanation of the name
accurately depicts the negative side of that equation.  :-)

> Would people insult each other in a discussion
> about the classification of their vehicle when
> they are face to face? 

Among the thousands of incredibly nice people who call or email my shop each
year, there is the unfortunate small percentage of unmitigated jerks. I have
indeed noticed that the majority of the latter tend to attack by email
rather than phone (and never face to face). It shocks me sometimes how
absoultely abusive, even profane, some of the emails are that Karen and my
other employees get to read once in a while, usually over extremely minor
issues (or sometimes no issue at all). I think people tend to forget that
when they email they are still dealing with real human beings.  On the other
hand, the cynic in me says that it's more an issue of cowardice than
forgetfulness.  It's easier to be a "bully" under cover of email than to
have the nerve to say the same things to someone's face. Having been on the
list for many years, I've noticed that it is typically the same few
offenders again and again. (For as long as those people remain on the list,
that is; they tend to be very vocal for a year or two and then burn out and
move on.)

> I was quiet on this list for a long time
>  and maybe I should reconsider: 

No, I'm glad you made your point. I think we could all use a reminder once
in a while not to write what we wouldn't say. 

- Ron Salmon
  The Bus Depot, Inc.
  www.busdepot.com
  (215)  234-VWVW

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