3rd Column, I am sorry that you feel compelled to stop posting to ET. The beginning of this thread reminded me of my high school days, when I would hand in an essay only to have my masterpiece in prose returned with a low mark and plenty of comments in red ink where I had gone wrong or the teacher disagreed.

After my initial disappointment and irritation, I would accept that my demonstration was less than perfect or at least debatable, and my wording not good enough. (And yes, sometimes I would think I was right after all.)

Please understand that your readers only have your diary to chew on when you first post it, and at that time you are only as good as your written word. Grow an ET-proof skin and bear with us for a while longer!

   

Hâtez-vous lentement, et, sans perdre courage, Vingt fois sur le métier remettez votre ouvrage : Polissez-le sans cesse et le repolissez ; Ajoutez quelquefois, et souvent effacez.
Gently make haste, of Labour not afraid ; A hundred times consider what you've said : Polish, repolish, every Colour lay, And sometimes add ; but oft'ner take away.

Nicolas Boileau (1636-1711), L'art poétique, The Art of Poetry

You're clearly a dangerous pinko commie pragmatist.