The flip side of that coin is though that this form of communication erases barriers of sex, class, accent, looks and so forth that are or can be major impediments to more intimate forms of communication.

Yes, but don't forget that it is very difficult for some people, apart from the value of editing and proof reading, to express themselves in writing. And class and education sure enter into it. Funny, its hard to talk about web access; everybody is getting that!

On indubitable advantage here is: nobody can sucker punch you for your opinions. I'll leave here with all the teeth I had when I walked in. And that is a blessing, for me, at least.

I am reminded of the time I logged on here, was reading comments, and read on of the most offensive, just plain rotten pieces of malevolent dreck (that's "merde" for us Yiddish speakers) it was ever my bad luck to read. I composed a point-by-point reply, working my way from the top, working the guy over which each paragraph. I poured forth all the vitriol and venom I command, combined with logical refutations which were unassailable. After all, the bastard was just so wrong! About everything. Man, I let it rip- I was dealing with a person that I felt it was no more than mere self-interest to repel, cause I would be thankful if he got so mad he would never even acknowledge my existence again.

I worked my way down to the bottom of his screed- and discovered I was replying to my own comment of yesterday!

Oh well, you know what they say about the consistency of foolish hobgoblins, or hemoglobulins or something. I forget.

and save personal info about each poster that ventures here often, so that I can better understand where they are coming from.

RMP

Look. I never laid a hand on that girl, and I'll sue the shit out of anybody who says otherwise. There was a settlement, we all agreed it was an "unfortunate occurence" And if it's not repeated, my record will be expunged.

Anybody can threaten me to good effect, but I won't be blackmailed!

You are clearly a unique personality who wants to be the same as anyone else.

I know, that's always been my problem. But I don't see how bringing up, well, indiscretions out of my distant past, okay, a couple weeks ago... Shit man, do you know everything? I'm sunk.

I don't know about you William Tellerman, but I'm not waiting around to be judged by peers. I have no trust at all in the nobility. I'm outa here, while the gettin's good!

See if that GI Special is any good, RMP. I don't know how to make any judgements about it.

You are okay in my estimation.

Thanks man, I needed that.

RMP,or anyone who might, could you do me a favor and listen to yesterday's "Morning Edition" on NPR a little?

Could you listen to the segment which features a Military Chaplain's remarks on the 4,000th death. I'm sure it's very easily streamed at the NPR, or Morning Edition website. lasts about 3-4 minutes, that's all.

I don't know what to think of it, having no military experience. I am literally on my way out the door, and I'll check back. If you can do that, thanks. If you can't do that, thanks anyway.

I'm rather ashamed I have to admit this individual is the same species as myself, never mind that we likely share the same country of origin/residence.

Thank God I don't have that problem. Boris and Natasha give me enough trouble!

Because since the moment bucky1 was informed by Anonymust that she is female, bucky1 has not once addressed her without condescendingly using words like "deary", "sweetie pie", "little lady" and such

Everybody flirts the best way they know how. Buckyl is, apparently, an expert literary flirter. Why, I bet the women who read him know they are in the presence of a real "international lover".

The media has tried to force every military action we are engaged in into a narrative which conforms with the norms, and most of the techniques developed in WW2.

And then there is the general narrative of war as individual melodrama. Seems to be a great favorite of the more interventionist young folks round here.

And so we are treated to the spectacle of the American Armed Forces reduced to running a brutal purposeless occupation, almost entirely against civilians while at every level they try to transform this into "blood, sweat, and tears" and "their finest hour".

Meanwhile, nobody seems to be afraid of "fear itself" anymore, that's passe', nye kulturny, old hat, last year's kisses and yesterday's news. Nope, to be unafraid is practically treasonous. "the fear of fear itself" is the neo-cons greatest political weapon, always has been.

And nobody else heard that Chaplain on NPR's Morning Edition (3/35) commemorating the 4,000th death?

I thought it was an almost threateningly immediate display of psychopathological sanctimoniousness; it was horrifying.

As I remember, he said "We wish these deaths would stop happening but we know they cannot"!!!

That from a guy who represents the Prince of Peace?

The segment which describes the way he personally reduces each death listing from a person he might have known, into a statistic he can use is almost vampiric, or anthropophagous.

Or maybe I heard it wrong.

in the run-up to the War On Iraq was the results

My post got swalloed!That's never happened before. Okay, the results I couldn't believe were the ones which were supposed to happen, and touted as such, when we invaded. We were going to loose the might of the US Armed Forces on Iraq, and the result was supposed to be them loving us and wanting to emulate us!

I thought I was going nuts at the time.

Anyway, RMP just noticed your comment directing me to your comment, and off I go to read it. Thanks for responding.