[quote=Allan from Fallbrook]
You mentioned that I like to fight. I actually don’t. I enjoy debating tremendously and I hate being misquoted. In this case, I found your lack of intellectual curiosity frustrating, especially given your slavish adherence to what amounts to a crackpot (hence my suggestion to do a little digging into Mr. Griffin’s background). Further, you had professionals like SK (CPA) and Davelj (banking and finance) weighing in and offering excellent insights on the subject and you’re retorting with Wiki entries and an added dollop of Griffin.
As with anything else: DIG. Even more important, find the facts. “In God We Trust. Everyone Else Bring Data”. A most excellent tagline, don’t you agree?[/quote]
Alan, I’m going to use your line to make an important distinction to Investor, and others like him.
For people like Allan, myself, and many others on this forum, this isn’t a matter of competition, or who “wins”. We like debate and discussion for its own sake. In the process, we satisfy our intellectual curiosity, and, if we’re particularly lucky, learn something that will impress people at cocktail parties. I personally, have no interest in being abusive to anyone, and go out of my way to be open-minded and cordial. But I get upset by those who are not, and by those who use opinions as “fact” and, in lieu of offering backup, accuse me of “just not getting it”.
I have enough faith in my opinions and philosophies to defend them vigorously, but will readily revise them when provided with evidence that my views are erroneous. I’m not sure that I see where I’m committing a felony by following this practice, or threatening the security of the U.S., but, based on the reactions I get from lots(!) of people, you would think I was. I have relatives that, I swear, call the Department of Homeland Security or F.B.I. behind my back (there’s no question that they’ve repeatedly called the priest) when I venture a differing opinion, or ask them to evidence of theirs.
Allan, permit me to expand your final line, from “bring data” to “bring independent, reputable, and valid data”.
By the way, do you KNOW anyone who practices trepanning? I’m looking for a gift for an ex-husband who has everything.
