You're probably right, Jack. I know how pointless these threads are - I keep returning to them in the way you keep prodding a sore tooth with your tongue...

I know that the sensible thing to do is to walk away, because WAV won't ever change his opinions on any of these topics, no matter how many very clever people (I'm not including myself, but referring to some of our esteemed colleagues) present evidence that there is no cultural or historical foundation for many of the beliefs which inform his world view. My instinct is always to confront bigotry, and bigotry is what I see in WAV's views - and while he insists on repeating those views ad infinitum, it is very hard not to challenge them.