Paul S. The original posting was clearly a joke and it was carried a nice distance by others. However given the tension that exists regarding what are good postings and what are flimsy and unnecessary postings it was a joke with a sting in it. Joe's perception of it as a deliberate attempt to stir flames is valid. One thing I find strange on the Net is the way in which a written medium is taking on more and more characteristics of an oral one. There are many posts which seem less the result of careful composition than the immediate, snappy, backanswer of conversation.