Gentlemen,

Even the best thing can be cheapened by over-use.  This has been a
worthy discussion but people are starting to fray around the
edges.  I'm declaring this, as of noon Pacific Time, a Friday subject
-- but in fact I hope that discussion stops earlier than that, as I'm
somewhat distressed at the overnight change of tone.

I will avail myself here of the moderator's privilege of the last word:

There is much to think of here, and I hope that people will indeed
think about it and post thoughtfully, on this coming and subsequent
Fridays.  Mark and Michael, I'd like to gently point out that *each*
of you is very specifically missing the other's point.  Everyone, may
I remind you that this list has seven hundred fifty plus members, and
it is within the power of every one to strengthen or weaken the
list.  Moderators can step in at particular junctures to put out
fires and can in some sense stop things from shaking apart; but only
the listmembers (moderators included) can build a strong list.  If
you care about this list -- take care of it.  Sensitive people (I am
one, oversensitive in fact), guard your hearts.  Abrasive people
(sometimes I'm one of them, also) give some thought to the tender-skinned.

We are here as a community of friends and as John Donne said,

No man is an island, entire of itself.
Every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were,
As well as if a manor of thy friends or of thine own were.
Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind;
and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls,
it tolls for thee.

Sincerely yours,
David

--
David Beierl -- dbeierl@attglobal.net