snipped
Then,I looked in a bit ago and read the message about Warren. I stayed
away for a couple more weeks.


Which one was that? And why would it keep you away?

And while I am asking, why are some people surprised when others take offense
at being called names or are otherwise insulted or been rude to?

I have to believe it is a clash of cultures.
I am a Southener. Taught manners and the necessity of being civil in order to
live in peace with my fellow man. I would never call a stranger a vulgar name,
comment on his wife or PU truck etc. Unless, of course, I was ready to fight
him. When I give a person my word, I am honor bound by it. More so than a piece
of paper I might sign.
People from other parts of the country have a different take on life, it seems.

I stand when a woman enters the room, take off my hat/cap when in an elevator
with women aboard whereas in Chicago and some other places I have lived, to
give up your seat to a woman on the El or bus seems to be a sign of weakness.

Straight off the farm and off to Bainbridge MD Naval Bootcamp, 1944, I was
shocked to hear a NY type fellow call a lanky, rawbone fellow from Arkansas,
IIRC, a dumb HB or some such and not at all surprised when the Rebel decked
him. The Yankee was surprised, tho. After all, he had talked that way all his
life and for someone to take offense was unheard of where he came from.
I realize we are all still feeling our way in this new medium of communicating
and sooner or later we will all start conforming to the same standard.
My generation of the Old South will give way to others more tolerant than I and
the same will happen in other parts of the country. In the meantime, if you
insult me or call me names, I will just shake my head and try to smile. But I
cannot help thinking of you as an enemy from then on..
I wish you luck with your project, Mr Sego, and if I can help in any way, eMail
or post here.

Warren