More than this, implicit in every statement on the board is "this is my opinion".
...I think so, anyway.


As for the topic of how much I love this board and respect all of the members, well, I can only repeat what others have said. If you are reading this post, you are an intelligent, compassionate, and sensible person as well as an impressive member of the human race. I am very glad to witness such a group as this and even contribute in the small ways that I can.

I haven't been following the tech discussions that may have precipitated Tom's apology, but I very much appreciate his concern for this community and I'm equally appreciative of the concern, respect, and love displayed in the replies. I guess this is a major reason why I come here.

Anyone else feeling like a group hug?

No?

Uh, me neither- just checking.

Uhh...

So, did you see that sporting event last night?

Sorry, no. I was out guzzling beer, scratching my crotch, driving my 4-wheel drive through fragile ecosystems, and shooting at road signs.

LOL Alright- leave it to the California boy to go mushy and point out the obvious.

You can all go back to belching and finger-pulling now.

Not only just California, but Bay Area!

True! Born and bred in an area so steeped in peace and love that it kicked off the pussification of America!

It seems I have chosen a good moment to return

Drakino, I remember taking part in literally religious discussions (that is, discussions on religion) that stayed very civil (I am happy to see that JeffS is still here, BTW), and those about politics, which did tend to become a bit heated, but not too much. I certainly hope that mere technology (or even less, brand loyalty) is not capable of provoking nothing more serious.

Since we are reminiscing, I got my MK2a during the fire sale and was very active early on. I bought a few and sold a few on Ebay, which more than paid for the one I kept. It has lasted me through a few VW's, an Audi, a Viper (which I had during a SF Bay meetup in 2001/2002), and now I am trying to decide if I should sell it.

Well, shit, if you want to fly over here, I am guessing we can get you your own television show. Don't get hung up on the whole "qualification" thing. It's so elitist!

OK, back to the topic. Tom, I am pretty inattentive, but I just wasn't getting the gist of this thread. Apology? Seriously, I am still not getting it. I hope that some of the subsequent comments I have read here reassure you that you shouldn't spend any more time dwelling on that.

And, yes, I have to echo Jeff's observation of the awkward monthly conversation where I try to explain "well, I was following this discussion...about quantum mechanics...well, actually on this bulletin board...about an MP3 player...you see, there were this bunch of madmen in Cambridge...."

If it helps even a little, can I provide a time-honoured, proof-of-concept EmpegBBS thread-jacking contribution?:

Hey, has anybody ever walked down the Danube?