Z-dr knows me well. I'm of the belief that putting a sugar coating on fecal matter does nothing except get you to swallow crap. Those who know me are aware that since 1969, my greatest danger to anyone is primarily verbal all out nuclear war, but seldom does it go beyond a brief flash, an explosive "BOOM" and then it is over. Just as our nation has developed working (or so some think) relationships with Great Britain, France, Spain, Mexico, Japan, Germany, China, North Korea and Viet Nam after being in pitched battles with all of those nations, it is much the same here. We sometimes go at one another tooth and nail, but - when all the smoke and dust clears - we genuinely like one another here.

You obviously have not checked your own forum of late, Sir Traffic Cop with Shining Pate. You are aware of my physical health problems that have pretty well limited my Forum surfing for the past year or so. Each time I have found the energy and ability to go to your Forum - which I will admit has been infrequently, but not by choice - I have posted something after reading almost every post there. In fact, you can ask Secretary Sage-arooni. I have your Forum listed as one of my regular, preferred links on my personalized MSN home page.

As for our political differences, it is true that we often see opposite sides of the same coin. And, we are both vocal and strong adherents of our own personal beliefs. Neither of us has been shy about positing our stances on a variety of subject matter and standing behind, and for, those beliefs. While I may not always agree with you on some things, I sure as Hell do enjoy the verbal jousts. Were I to limit myself to only discussing things only with those who are in total agreement with me, I would learn nothing and my reasoning powers could atrophy from lack of use. We should warn Deb and some of the FNGs that we can appear to be embroiled in life or death verbal combat filled with vitriolic verbal barbs, but - just so everyone knows - I do value Z-dr's input and presence here. He may miss the mark from time to time, but I know that he is usually shooting at the same targets that I am and neither of us would willingly fire at one another.

I just spent a goodly part of my daily alloted online time checking e-mail. I got several pieces of e-mail from a number of those who visit here. Each one contained some great things that would have been fantasic posts and possibly even started truly interesting threads. I am genuinely honored and quite proud that these people thought enough of me to send the thoughts they shared with me personally. I am, however, dismayed that they cannot see that the same piece of information would be excellent material to post here. It would allow all of those here to see what great people each of you really are, how special your thoughts can be and how devastatingly funny, thought-provoking and caring each of you can be. After all, what good are friends and their thoughts if you can't share them with all of your friends?

I simply want you folks to understand that this forum exists for one basic reason that applies to both Secretariat Sagie-poo and me. We have met and gotten to know some special people in the cyberworld and wish to share each of them with each of the others. We both enjoy our private communications with each of these people, but this is a place where we can allow all of you to see what wonderful people each of you are.

I'm with Joe (Z-dr). When you folks withdraw from that, you're reflecting poorly on us. He knows that maintaining a forum requires a bit of effort. When you host such a virtual gathering place you find yourself thinking about things you see, hear, read and learn. You want to share them with all of those you cherish. It is discouraging to have those efforts echo emptily in a space you go out of your way to offer to all of those folks.

I am proud and thrilled to announce that Draggie-(insert a whole bunch of foolishness here) poo is BACK! Her son and daughter in law have made it possible for her to get back on line and we all benefit from that goodness and decency on their parts. Thank you for her and for all of us. I am also tickled pink to announce that Brother Herb and I managed between us to convince his modem that it is a modem and that it can - and WILL - work properly. It took many lengthy, exasperated telephone calls and more than a little frustration on both our parts to make that happen, but he is now able to connect to the Internet again. I am hoping that he finds it in himself to craft more of the retorts that issue forth from his online alter-ego, Artair Mackaye, and that are directed at me. Those who do not know better would think we were bitter enemies. Those who do know better recognize those barbed exchanges as what they are, two men who like one another having fun. Some of them are filled with classic insults and putdowns. Not one of them is intended to inflict personal damage to the one at whom it is aimed. Most make great reading.

And, Deb, I would enjoy meeting you face-to-face whenever that opportunity may arise. I seldom bite, but I have been known to nibble.

Between Sage and me, we have personally met almost everyone who posts here, and we're working on the rest. Should my health hold up and my determination to defy the sawbones remains as strong as it is now, we hope to make that a reality in as many cases as possible.

Some of us have undergone personal travails of late and some of those problems have wreaked financial hardships on some of us, but I will repeat my heartfelt belief... with good and worthy "friends," no man or woman can ever be "poverty-stricken."

Sometimes you folks make me feel like a multi-millionaire but I cannot carry the load alone, nor can Z-dr. You can go directly to his forum, Dreamers II, by clicking on the link I just provided. Please go there and just insert a brief post to show him that you do understand and appreciate the effort he has made to create and host a forum. It's all he, Secretary Sage-arooni and I really ask in return.

So there! Fine! Fine! Fine! You got that, Buster?