Vic Sage wrote:i don't come here JUST to rip people's messages apart... it's merely an ancillary activity i engage in for the pure, unadulterated joy of it. mostly i come here (as i have for many years) to join my friends in amiably obnoxious banter, to enhance my understanding of this great game of ours and cultivate an online comraderie that has spilled over into our real lives. If you want to add some research, some information, some educated insight into the ongoing conversation we're engaged in, or just some amusing material (haikus are always welcome!), you'll be greeted with open arms. But if you just offer unsupportable opinions or unsupported assertions, you're posts are likely to be mocked. Anyway, i can't do you any actual harm, you know. You're there and i'm here. So stop whining, and either swim in the pool or don't.I agree with everything you said here, though maybe a newbie won't be as scared if you're a little gentler?Unless your point is to scare off those who post, as you say, "unsupportable opinions or unsupported assertions". I agree with that goal, though I think one post is a little early to be judging Mr. Met. Of course, after rereading your post, you really weren't judging Mr. Met, just his post. I guess I have no point.Kudos to Mr Met for showing up though, it must be tough to work up the energy to post when you have to dance and fling t-shirts around Shea 81 times a year.