I try to be truthful hereabouts in everything I reveal about myself, and certainly in the opinions I express, but y'all are not getting the *whole* truth, not by any means.

Part of the appeal of being anonymous, or semi-anonymous, or of maintaining a synthetic identity, is that *nothing* is truly "personal." I consider these discussions as an arena for ideas and stories, and I feel free to express my differences (when I have them) as baldly as I please without intending *any* personal attack -- and I generally expect the same in return.

If I experience anything remotely like "hurt feelings" when another poster attacks or disagrees, I manage to supress the feeling pretty quickly and easily -- because it ain't me you're arguing with, it's the phantom known as PoppaGator.