Art,

We need you! A little Art "for art's sake" is just what gives the delightful twist to our times here at the Mudcat and even, our day!

Newcomers need to observe, study, and then be bold, like the rest of us!
(I am reminded of my first board meeting at Planned Parenthood, here, in the land of ultra-conservatism, where every fiftieth sagebrush has a Republican (US-type) hidden behind it, if they haven't burned it off or plowed it under!

Anyway, there I sat, fresh from ten yrs in the hotbed of liberalism: Northampton, MA and other pasts East, mouthing off about the darn Republicans and their anti-choice rhetoric, when all of a sudden this very cultured woman across from me says she's a Republican, as are most of them seated there! Boy, I learned to observe and assess really fast after that. Now I don't make judgement calls or snap judgments without being sure of who I'm talking about, and me an op/ed writer and all!)

After all, if it weren't for those of you who've always been here and the rest of us who've learned, there wouldn't be a Mudcat for anyone to come to, or if there was, it would be a mere, quavering and cringing ghost shadow of the one we all know and love.

I meant every word I said before and I really don't think we all need to become a bunch of sniveling apologists!(NOT that you have ever sounded like that, either!)

NOI!

Anyway, I say this is the way it is, get over it. We will try to be as clear as possible in our intent and include a few ***grins*** while we're at it, but what we do here is damn good fun and I wouldn't have it any other way! Hey, even the Virginian didn't shoot Trampas, when he, the Virginian, warned him to "Smile when you call me that!" I'M SMILING!!!

Love you all!

katlaughing