(Preliminarily, to the O/T haters, this must be bad, but Pic has been such a huge part of this forum, I don't even think this is "O/T." I'm sure we could write a lot of on topic stuff about ECU today, but some of the words would surely be censored!)

Pic:

I know you were dead serious when you wrote that post, but c'mon! Take what I say in this post in the fashion it is intended, as some good natured ribbing, along with some completely genuine comments.

First, was your leaving the "big" event that was to have occurred during the August planetary extravaganza?! If so, then I believe it qualifies, but I think then you have manipulated events and circumstances to manufacture such an event.

While I don't think much of the astronomy stuff, you have always been one of the most, if not the most, entertaining contributor to this board. Your technical analysis is always welcome.

Further, your posts on stuff not directly related to ECU are very interesting, most often because you are willing to give a view inside your head and gut that few posters are willing to offer.

The stuff you wrote about the country needing to go back to its Christian roots - well, I couldn't disagree more, I find unethical folk absolutely everywhere, and when certain of those folk try to mask themselves with being good Christians, I find it doubly disgusting and reprehensible. I've known plenty in business, and a few socially. However, I find it interesting that you so strongly believe that. After all, Rice is a well regarded school...LOL!

As to your take on the DC rally, you might be totally accurate in your depiction, but I have to doubt it. You are far too channeled to view something like that objectively, and the fact that you think you are objective, doesn't change reality. It's like Mr. Soul telling us a bit about his life, who he married, and then saying that means he obviously doesn't have a prejudiced bone in his body. He may well not, and, while what he said may be evidence of that, it far from making it "obvious." But his liberally slanted writing is so good, so smooth, that often it has me saying, "yes, of course, he's right, it's that way" - but sometimes it's not. Even though the world would likely be better if things could be the way that Soul would have them, it just doesn't work. Part of the reason, is that the world is full of very diverse personalities, IQ's, socio/economic/policitical backgrounds, etc., etc., and the smartest guys, although they always sound the smartest, often make decisions that are regrettable.

Anyway, Pic, I don't think you can stay away from the board for too long - the teacher in you will win out. I suppose you might find another outlet to satisfy that urge, but you have a good audience right here, and you're well aware of that. Please don't take this paragraph as a "double dog dare," and stay away to spite me; it's merely an observation having read posts from you that by now are cumulatively longer than "Gone With the Wind." Got Cliff Notes?