On Tuesday, March 23, 2004 8:12 PM, Christian Gerzner wrote:

(snip)
> > G'Day, Christian!  I may not (always) agree with your views - nor you
with
> > mine - but I can't help but respect and admire the consistency with
which
> > you continue to voice them!  :-)

> I looked at your post a couple of times and then decided that it was
> meant exactly as presented, thank you.

Mate!  As soon as I'd sent it, I realised that it might have been
interpreted in ways other than intended - which, sadly, is often the way
with a medium that doesn't allow the luxury of seeing the speaker's face!
:-)

It was meant - although understated in its admiration - as presented!  :-)

> Hmmm, reflecting back I do believe that pretty well the first time you
> saw me defending in this mode was when Tricky was carrying on, rather
> senselessly in my book.

Ah!  I still maintain that my, "enemy's friend is not my enemy" - or that my
friend's enemy is mine (or somfink like that!) :-)

> I have always, will always, defend those that cannot, or may not,
> defend themselves, only providing that they (IMO) deserve that defence.

I seem to remember reading somewhere or other that those who can have a duty
to speak for those who can't.  The fact that you always seem to do so,
speaks volumes for your beliefs and attitudes to life and diving.

> I'm also very conscious that such defences might put me into the
> "Pompous Old Farts" category of posters. Your support means a lot as
> far as denial of that is concerned.

Mate!  I have absolutely no doubt that you and I will cross swords again -
and may it be long and (relatively) often. <BWG>  But while we may not agree
on many things - and hopefully continue to argue for decades to come - let
us, at least, remember that we're human beings who've shared the joy and
privilege of being able to see beneath the surface of the world's oceans.
:-))

Strike