Matt has some growing up to do but then most of us did at that age. I joined the Navy at 18 and got to see the world and experience people up close and personal. At his age while riding the grey funnel line I toured Plymouth, Edinburgh, Bergen, Amsterdam, and Bremerhaven. He needs to do something similar. Hopefully he's doing that right now.

Whatever he's doing I, for one, wish him well. Sure he's touchy and short tempered, a little self centered. But how many of you could face the man with a rock in your hand? (i.e., let he who is without sin cast the first stone.) So far I have described almost any other human being. We all fit that description to some degree.

You have to remember all the posts where people have described him as being bighearted and kind. Think of the things he has said that made you think and feel. Please don't focus only on those parts of Matt that pissed you off.

Troll, you are right. People come and people go. If Matt is done with us then he is gone. I'd like him to think he can come back any time and be welcome.

Jon, you have a right to your opinion and have clearly stated it. But is your opinion going to change any of us and our opinions?

We are only humans. We cannot please everyone all the time. If we restrict ourselves to only saying the things that we know will not rile other people we are betraying ourselves and the people around us. The difference between us old codgers and Matt and his generation is that we are old enough to know how to do that gently. They still have to learn that lesson. Running up against our more short tempered members is hopefully teaching them that lesson.