Alfredo writes:

> I agree with Wirt.  I would suggest a slight editorial change on Wirt's
>  sentence.  This minimal change would convey Wirt's message in a
>  "nice positive" way that (as a bonus) would cost Wirt fewer keystrokes:
>
>  "That's actually not an unfair point" => "That's actually a fair point"
>
>  Lazy as always,

Alfredo hasn't spent enough time with our English cousins, who often speak in
understatements. When you ask a proper Brit, "How'd things go?", the answer
you often get back is the same sort of understated double negative, "Not bad."

Saying this allows one to avoid tooting their own horn. It's up to you then
to decide what level of excellence "not bad" means: fair, middling, good or
truly excellent.

The same is true of "That's actually not an unfair point." It's left to you
to decide whether the comment is irrelevant, appropriate or exceptionally
perceptive.

Wirt Atmar

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