Wow. I didn't expect this to happen today, especially since I'm still averaging only five or six a day, but -- luckily for Bob, I suppose -- we had a few serious political, ethical, and scientific threads, and at least one person who called me holier-than-thou.
In a lot of ways, this is a microcosm of my time spent at Hatrack.
I've struggled for nearly a week to come up with something deep to say on this thread; a lot of people have written some very brilliant, moving, and fascinating posts for their traditional "milestone," and I couldn't think of anything to fill those shoes.
Then I realized why.
It's because I don't have anything special to say about myself; everything there is to know about me is ALREADY here, over the last four years. What more could I say, what more could I BE, than what I've been and talked about being here?
Really, the only noteworthy thing about hitting 8000 posts is that, unlike a lot of people who've been around a lot longer on forums that predated this one, I stuck around.
I don't know why so many of the others drifted away. I know some just got too busy. Others felt like they had run out of things to say, or had seen all the arguments and discussions too many times to maintain interest. Some didn't like the new format, or thought the tone of the forum changed in ways they didn't appreciate (especially compared to our idealized memories of the ones that had gone before).
But I DO know why I stayed.
I like you. I like this place.
I'm not the kind of person who dreams about Hatrackers or comes up with imaginary presents. I didn't go to EnderCon. I probably won't ever buy a Hatrack T-shirt.
But there are people here who mean the world to me, and I just wanted y'all to know that. I'm still here because, every single day, I'm reminded of how many good people there are in the world -- and grateful that so many of them are willing to get together in one place and talk about crap.
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
very good. I'm glad you didn't drift away. Sometimes I wonder what I missed by arriving so late.
Posted by Olivet (Member # 1104) on :
Posted by KarlEd (Member # 571) on :
Happy 8000th. At my rate I'll have to will my user ID to my grand-nephew in order for it to have an 8000th post.
Posted by Doug J (Member # 1323) on :
Tom is a great person and i'm glade he is around.
(Do i get an extra level for that?)
Posted by twinky (Member # 693) on :
My first post in this forum was in a thread of yours. It was a pretty lame post. Good thread, though.
Posted by knightswhosayni! (Member # 4096) on :
I'm glad you stuck around, Tom.
Ni!
Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
*seconds TomD*
Hatrack Rules! I've always been amazed how certain communities of people form strong bonds, even though most of them have never seen each other in person. Hatrack is one of the most excellent examples of this phenomenon.
Posted by Tammy (Member # 4119) on :
Woah...impressive, 8,000 posts.
quote:But there are people here who mean the world to me
Not yet sweetie....ohhhhh but I will someday.
*blames her goofiness on Friday..Woo Hoo..it's Friday*
Posted by Ela (Member # 1365) on :
Wow, Tom. I don't know whether to say congratulations, or get a life.
Seriously, it's great to have you on the forum. I always enjoy your contributions.
Congratulations.
**Ela**
Posted by David Bowles (Member # 1021) on :
::hugs Tom::
You are, after all is said and done, a fun, smart guy. Just very annoying sometimes. And very wrong sometimes, too.
Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
Congratulations.
Posted by ludosti (Member # 1772) on :
I'm another one that's glad you're still around. The things that you say, whether I agree with them or not, force me to re-examine myself, my own perceptions, and beliefs, for which I am grateful. Stick around at least until Karl and I make our 8000th posts. Posted by Bokonon (Member # 480) on :
Congrats, Tom. Here's to another 8000 posts!
-Bok
Posted by Patrick (Member # 2050) on :
I remember the first time I learned Tom was younger than I. I was astounded -- he was so much more mature sounding, smarter... he couldn't be older than me.
I started out thinking he was the pompous ass that he has a reputation for. I don't know if he remembers when I attacked him about his Mormon bashing tendencies at ornery.org. I don't even remember what sent me over the edge, but I was definitely in a fuss.
I grew to like the guy as time went on, and have even defended him to other mormons who see him as an insufferable anti-mormon.
Tom is one of the few hatrackers who has particularly influenced me by one of their posts. One was his response to an abortion thread that was getting a lot of action a year or so ago. I won't repeat the story, but it made me understand his POV much clearer than it had before -- in fact, it made me love him for what he had been through and feel for him.
Another time was when I was taking him to task for not believing in God. I actually asked him if he had ever tried to find out if there was a God. His response was stunning to me, and made me rethink how I view those who are athiest/agnostic or whatever he is.
Anyway, he's turned into a good buddy. And he plays a mean game of mafia.
[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited October 18, 2002).]
Posted by twinky (Member # 693) on :
quote:One was his response to an abortion thread that was getting a lot of action a year or so ago.
*nods* I remember that too.
Posted by Eddie Whiteshoes (Member # 2951) on :
Tom's a pillar -- the pillar -- of Hatrack and Ornery. No offense meant to anyone else, but while there are some incredible minds out there whom I like and respect, a la Moose, Storm Saxon, Belle, John, Jeni, none of you can hold a candle to this guy.
Quite often, Tom's slapping my wrists for going overboard on a topic. Though he doesn't truly rip into me, I take every criticism he gives -- no matter how mild -- to heart. I've never seen him as hateful, let alone near the extremes I, and others here, have reached.
I'm going to cut this off before it gets (more) sappy. Tom, dude, you hold a great deal of my respect and, I wish I could say, friendship. You've always been here to set Hatrack straight, and dealt with the vitrolic and soft-spoken alike with a fair tongue. You're easily the greatest mind on Hatrack, and I doubt there's anyone here who could or would disagree with me. Bravo, dude.
Posted by Papa Moose (Member # 1992) on :
I like Tom.
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
Heck, Eds, I'm not even the most COHERENT mind on Hatrack.
But thank you, everyone.
Posted by Maethoriell (Member # 3805) on :
..such the vet... ..Congrats!
Posted by jeniwren (Member # 2002) on :
That post on the abortion thread was...oh, I don't know the word...historic? transformational? I don't know...but it had the same effect on me as Pat shared.
This place just wouldn't be the same without TomD. I'm so glad you're here!
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
Tom is all right. No, more than all right. Tom is downright cool.
I like Tom.
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
Congratulations Master Poster! May your fingers never tire of sharing your wit and wisdom with us here at Hatrack. May your mind remain as razor sharp as it is today. I hoist a glass of the good old stout in your honor!
Posted by sarahdipity (Member # 3254) on :
So I don't actually know anything about Tom really. I know this proves I'm still a newbie but if he wants to share more about himself I'd be interested to read.
Posted by kacard (Member # 200) on :
Tom -- Congratulations and thanks for being one of the people who makes Hatrack worth doing! You're a peach. Kristine Card
Posted by Papa Moose (Member # 1992) on :
Ok, now I'm jealous....
Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :
8 Posted by TheTick (Member # 2883) on :
Why would you be jealous of that, Pop? Wasn't your original thread mentioned at Endercon by one of the Cards as being special? Posted by Papa Moose (Member # 1992) on :
My thread wasn't posted until after Endercon. There was a response from OSC himself on it, though, and Kristine mentioned at a signing that she thought it was a great tradition. But she called Tom a peach!
Of course, she's right. He is a peach.
--Pop
Posted by Baldar (Member # 2861) on :
Congratulations Tom. I look forward to posting with you ad infinitum.
Posted by Mr. Flibble (Member # 4178) on :
Your a good egg Tom.
Posted by Sal (Member # 3758) on :
I actually listen to Tom. *runs to mirror to check whether everything else is still all right*
And here's a present for you. I thought you might like it. If not, you can always pass it on to Bob...
It's a ticket to a gallery (my favorite pic there is called "Halleluja"):
Its definitely earthy Sal.
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
That means Tom is fuzzy, and not smooth like a nectarine.
Posted by Hobbes (Member # 433) on :
[EDIT: My smilies weren't up to snuff!]
Hobbes
[This message has been edited by Hobbes (edited October 18, 2002).]
Posted by esl (Member # 3143) on :
Happy 8000th Tom!
Posted by Pixie (Member # 4043) on :
Congratulations Tom! ::remembers when Tom got his 6000th post:: ::feels old:: Many thanks for: ~Always listening ~Being honest (yes, even when painfully so) ... There's a very long list of things to thank you for. For now, however, thanks for being a part of Hatrack. Posted by Toretha (Member # 2233) on :
happy 8000th post! *raises toast to Tom*
Posted by T_Smith (Member # 3734) on :
I like Tom. Hello Tom. Nice to have you around.
Posted by aka (Member # 139) on :
For all the times you've made me burst out laughing, Tom! <raises glass of caffeine free diet coke>
Posted by Khavanon (Member # 929) on :
Way to go, grandpa. I've known your name for almost four years now (whether or not you've known mine). But you are far more diligent and dedicated than I may ever be to this board. You'll always be the second most popular guy at Hatrack. Posted by enjeeo (Member # 2336) on :
Now you've got me wondering patrick, how old Tom is...he definitely has that 'dad' feel to me. So PapaMoose until I saw a photo of him. Geez, next I'll be finding out that Bob's still a boyscout.
Tom is great. Even on those days when I skim threads rather than read each post carefully, I always pause when I see Tom's name.
Happy 8000th, Tom!
Posted by amira tharani (Member # 182) on :
*Grin* Of course Tom has that aura of being a dad. Along with Uncle Orson, of course, Tom is genuinely the father of the Hatrack forums as we know them. Right from the early days of the BML forums, his fairness and humour and annoying habit of finding something to say that we hadn't thought of yet but was absolutely spot-on, and his honesty with himself and others... all those things are what made Hatrack a pleasant place to come and play and learn. I've always respected you, Tom, even when we've disagreed, and so often you've said something that made me re-think my own position. I remember a very personal post that you made on the BML forums about abortion that was so powerful it made me cry. I remember many more times that you've made me laugh, and I'm so glad that you're still here.
*raises cup of coffee* From one old-timer to another, here's to Tom!
Posted by Wendybird (Member # 84) on :
Congrats Tom! I too enjoy your insights and wisdom. I'm a little awestruck at the thought of 8000 posts... I'll never make it to that pinnacle of posting.
Posted by porcelain girl (Member # 1080) on :
i, too, like tom. it wasn't always so, but i stuck around and my mind was changed. i'm glad you stuck around, too.
Posted by Chaeron (Member # 744) on :
Glad you've stuck around so long Tom. Hatrack would never be the same without you.
Posted by dspeyer (Member # 758) on :
I was reading through the old Forum the other weekend. Not a lot of names I knew, but TomD and aka were there and their posts were an upswing in the thread.
I'm glad to see that the best people don't always leave.
Posted by Kate Emily (Member # 3409) on :
Hey Tom. You are one of the persons who make me (and people like me) hang around Hatrack. I don’t contribute much to this place – I usually lurk, sometimes post some fluff – but I love coming here, thanks to you and some other people. Congrats and many .
Posted by Dragon (Member # 3670) on :
Yay for Tom,
I, like Kate, usually lurk and post fluff but I appreciate all of you who make Hatrack such a great community.
Posted by Deirdre (Member # 4200) on :
Eight-thousand posts?!
<--wonders if, in 7915 posts, she'll become as cool as Tom.
<--Make that 7914.
Posted by Fael (Member # 3015) on :
Way to go Tom. Keep posting!
Posted by Amka (Member # 690) on :
Wow, Tom.
I've been irritated at you at times.
At other times I've thought you were right spot on and agreed with you whole heartedly.
Congratulations and thanks for sticking around. I second others in saying that you really are one of those who keeps this place the way it is.
Posted by advice for robots (Member # 2544) on :
Glory and adulation, Tom! *raises eggnog*
Posted by Destineer (Member # 821) on :
I must admit, I'm a Tom Davidson fan. Tom, you do a great job of keeping your cool while arguing and always paying attention to the meat of the issue. This forum would be far, far worse without you.
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
Edited as per below.
[This message has been edited by ClaudiaTherese (edited October 23, 2002).]
Posted by Slash the Berzerker (Member # 556) on :
Sheesh, did John show up just long enough to do a complex bash on the current hatrackers?
Posted by advice for robots (Member # 2544) on :
John Hansen is one of those responsible for using up all the good discussion topics long before most of us started posting here. Hence the fluff.
Posted by Strider (Member # 1807) on :
Holy John Hansen! He's so old they don't even know when he registered.
Congrats Tom. I can't believe you have that many posts. And with relatively little fluff too. Now that's an achievment!
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
Yeah, Slash, he did. But I don't like to think of it as a slap at current Hatrackers as much as a slap at anyone who uses the Internet more than John thinks they should.
------
But, hey, everybody....I appreciate the warm thoughts.
[This message has been edited by TomDavidson (edited October 21, 2002).]
Posted by Patrick (Member # 2050) on :
John, John, John...
If you don't like it, go away. Thank you.
Posted by advice for robots (Member # 2544) on :
Holy disappearing post.
Posted by Deirdre (Member # 4200) on :
(Having paid my respects, I will now derail the thread.)
quote:He's one of the far too few of you who actually uses his real name (to the best of my knowledge).
What's wrong with not using our real names? I can see why some users might want to use their real names for professional reasons, but I'm not sure how it necessarily benefits the other users, unless they're compiling some sort of mailing list. Using an assumed name on web boards is conventional enough that I wouldn't consider it deceptive. And, though giving out your real name may let others know, say, your gender, ethnicity, or generation, arguably one of the advantages of web-based communities are that they allow you to have an identity based on what you have to say rather than what you are.
*not offended, just curious*
Posted by Deirdre (Member # 4200) on :
Drat. I missed it.
*waiting to see if he comes back, in a very non-confrontational and sincerely interested manner*
Posted by twinky (Member # 693) on :
Wow... JohnHansen...
*waves*
Posted by Pod (Member # 941) on :
Hello Mr. Hansen,
What's in a name?
If you think that my use of a psuedonym means that who i display is similarly artificial, you would be incorrect. Dismissal on the grounds that fictional names mean that people are hiding or that there is some sort of mystery is not indicative of someones pov.
What someone grows into calling me is unimportant, so long as they remember that i am a person (perhaps a thought that is sometimes forgotten with net handles, but who's fault is that?) on the other side of this internet.
I am me. My name is unimportant.
As for your points on longevity, i've had this nick for nigh 4 years, and dont intend on ever leaving it behind, that makes it real enough to me. And what of the people who have refered to me as such in real life (as the nick was not only an internet handle)? Or the fact that Ted, the name by which most people in real life refer to me as, is nothing more than a nick name?
As you can see i am a sort of living conundrum of nomenclature. I certainly hope the truth of who i am is not obfuscated in way by which three letter word that is used to refer to me.
Posted by David Bowles (Member # 1021) on :
Pod's real name is James Edward Han. Let's all start calling him Jim!
Although I would also prefer people using their real names, I know that this is just a psychological thing: knowing Slash's real name helps me focus on him as a person, but it doesn't give me any more info on him (except what his parents chose to call him when he was a newborn).
So, while there is some merit in Mr. Hansen's complaint, I think that overall his tacit attributing the problems on Hatrack to a pervasive desire for anonymity is flawed.
Posted by Leto II (Member # 2659) on :
Mr. Hansen,
Wow, and I thought I could be an incredible prick sometimes. However, not only did this thread begin on a rather bitter note, but you decide to step in and play the "I've been here for years, and none of you measure up to how it used to be" bit with people.
It's things like that which make me glad I stuck to my Dune newsgroups "back in the day". It's things like that which slap me in the face and show me how pretentious one can sound, while still trying to sound like a nice fellow. It's things like that which show me that when you've had enough of something, it's best to let it go, than to let it get more sour to you. It's things like that which remind me how unreasonable the judgemental "I've been here longer" mentality is.
Thanks for reminding me. I had been thinking about many of them anyway, but it's best to not forget.
I don't know if Patrick meant it, but I agree-- if you have such a problem with the way Hatrack is now, or has been over the last year that I've seen it, then go away. I don't care that you've been here almost longer than the Cards... you add absolutely nothing, and you attempt to take away from some things that are great here, in the name of what was. Yes, whether you realize it or not, you're trying to take away from what Hatrack is, which is exactly what you blame all of us for.
For that, you can kindly go suck eggs.
You mention using one's full names, instead of nicknames. Hello, John... my name is John Lieske. I use a different name here, because I don't just bandy my name about over the internet, and also to make a point to differentiate myself. Almost everyone here at Hatrack knows my name, though. Many here know each other's name just fine, as well. It's something that comes with comeraderie, and not something I think needs to be forced. Also, for the younger people here, I'm glad they don't give out their full names, as it helps keep them safer from predators. Perhaps, in your long years on internet forums, you've been oblivious to the fact that the internet is not what it once was. Giving out personal information is discouraged, unless you know who you're giving it to (or don't care). So, frankly, Mr. Hansen, your reasoning for even bringing up the "issue" is either terribly faulty, or is dubious, at best.
I'm not asking you to leave, Mr. Hansen. I am, however, saying that if you plan on trying to judge Hatrack by your "old-timer" standards, you can, quite frankly, go to hell.
Regards, John F. Lieske, Jr (a.k.a.- Leto II)
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
Guys, can you take this argument -- if there's going to be an argument -- to E-mail? You both make your addresses public, and I'd rather not have this on my thread.
Thanks.
Posted by David Bowles (Member # 1021) on :
Why not, Tom? I mean, you did sort of start it by mentioning the following:
quote:I don't know why so many of the others drifted away. I know some just got too busy. Others felt like they had run out of things to say, or had seen all the arguments and discussions too many times to maintain interest. Some didn't like the new format, or thought the tone of the forum changed in ways they didn't appreciate (especially compared to our idealized memories of the ones that had gone before).
Granted, Mr. Lieske was a tad bit rough on Mr. Hansen (for some reason I giggle every time I type that), but his objections to Hansen's bashing are legitimate.
Besides, your time on Hatrack should have taught you one important lesson: you can't police a thread...
Posted by Doug J (Member # 1323) on :
Leto, it isn't going to help. I told him just about the same thing almost a year ago.
Posted by Leto II (Member # 2659) on :
No, Tom. I did it like so because while Hansen made the comments I'm primarily addressing, he took his cue from your initial post.
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
Hey, don't hold me responsible for this one.
If John wants to play the old curmudgeon, that's not my fault. And if the OTHER John wants to play the young curmudgeon, that's not my fault either.
I'm sorry if people interpreted my brief nod to the past -- and to the many wonderful posters who've now faded into the woodwork -- as an excuse to start up a bunch of "then vs. now" arguments. That's not even remotely what I intended, and I had sincerely hoped that people would take the hint and let the whole thing kind of die out.
So here's the deal. I don't intend to allow this thread -- which was started with the best of intentions, and which has some personal meaning for me -- to turn into yet another pointless Hatrack argument. If discussion on this topic continues on this thread, therefore, I will delete the thread rather than permit it. As much as I appreciate what people here have said, compliments themselves are too easily polluted by this kind of thing.
I really appreciated this thread, but it's lived out its purpose. And if you're all going to dig your heels in and argue like little children, I'd rather take it away than let you vomit on it.
Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :
You're inhibiting our right to free speech, Tom.
Despite our differences, I like Tom quite a bit. He's only rarely rude (oddly enough, the number of times he's been thoroughly rude corresponds EXACTLY to the number of times he's been thoroughly correct. . . ); he's meticulously honest; and he writes wonderfully.
What's more important is the feeling that whether or not Tom agrees with you, he generally welcomes your comments on his ideas.
Posted by Xavier (Member # 405) on :
Congrats Tom .
It stinks that this thread is such a pissing contest now.
In John Hansen's defense, he sent me a free hardcover copy of Ender's Shadow when it first came out and I couldn't afford it. That was a cool thing to do.
Posted by Slash the Berzerker (Member # 556) on :
I would like to point out that I did not react to John's post with negativity, but rather with shock. I remember John from way back when *I* was a newbie, and I always had deep respect for him. I was just surprised to see him slip in a subtle bash. I am very sorry now that I pointed it out. Sorry John. Didn't intend to expose you to such attack. Love the lego bots by the way.
As to the other topic, I am going to start a thread.
Posted by Pod (Member # 941) on :
Sorry tom!
i actually ahve something legitimate to say about your role at hatrack, but i'm at work right now and i shouldn't be wasting time rewriting my thoughts saved at home
As for derailing your thread, sorry, i was just offering a contrary opinion, which was meant in no offense.
Posted by David Bowles (Member # 1021) on :
Well, okay, but look:
quote:I must say that Tom is about the only reason I occasionally browse here still [implication: no one else is worth the effort... this is where you alienate the whole community]. He's one of the far too few of you who actually uses his real name (to the best of my knowledge) [this somehow makes him more... something to you]. He's open-minded a lot of the time [implying, since you see him as so unique, that the majority of us aren't]. He appears to actually read what other people write before responding, more often than not showing signs of intelligent thought [ditto: since you've singled him out as one of the only reasons you check in, by implication you subtract from the rest of us these qualities]. He stays quiet when it makes sense to remain so. He tries to help the helpless. And he expresses gratitude appropriately [three qualities which the rest of us don't quite share, you seem to imply].
None of the bracketed implications may have been your intent, but that's how many of us read your post. Perhaps if you were to review what you've written from an outside point of view before posting it, you could save us the mistaken impression that we're being dissed.
Posted by Doug J (Member # 1323) on :
David, John just might have a crush.
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
Actually, John, the bit I read as a bash was the part in which you explained that you were grateful that you knew a bunch of people in the real world who talked about meaningful things and didn't waste any of their time starting at a computer screen.
Posted by Slash the Berzerker (Member # 556) on :
I really, really regret saying that John's post was a bash. If I hadn't, probably none of the rest of this would have appeared.
Sorry, John.
Posted by Ela (Member # 1365) on :
David, you rock. Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
I felt dissed because John Hansen didn't mention me once in his posts, even though I use my own name and, I think, give good enough reason for anyone to delurk every once in awhile.
But I just have to ask...What was this thread about in the first place?
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
quote:As much as I appreciate what people here have said, compliments themselves are too easily polluted by this kind of thing.
Tom, I've edited my post to you. I came to the thread wanting to say something nice, got ticked off by the famous post above, and it came out all wrong. I honestly hadn't meant to snub John (frankly -- and I hope this doesn't come out wrong too -- I didn't expect him to come back and read replies). But it did reflect my huffiness, and it was snarky, and you deserve much better on your 8000th post. [And John deserves my apology, which he has in spades.]
Tom, you do pull no punches. The words are succinct, clear, and to the point, and you leave the rest of us wishing we'd only had the brains to say the same thing, exactly the same way. But despite your directness, you are never malicious. You debate the point but not the person, and I can't tell you how much I admire this.
You're a wit and a half, two on your best days, and the all-time snort-inducing champion of this place.
I'd trust you with my money, and I'd trust you with my children if I had my own. I'd turn down breaking open a new book from OSC to spend a night at dinner with you and your lovely wife.
Here's to hoping that you stay around for all the years to come. You are a blessing to Hatrack.
[This message has been edited by ClaudiaTherese (edited October 23, 2002).]
Posted by Deirdre (Member # 4200) on :
quote:I really, really regret saying that John's post was a bash. If I hadn't, probably none of the rest of this would have appeared.
Come on, Slash. Does your ego know no bounds? You are, in fact, merely a tiny cog in this great machine we call Hatrack, so insignificant you could not possibly be responsible for the mess this has become.
Besides, it was obviously all my doing. *grin*
Posted by Deirdre (Member # 4200) on :
But seriously...
Sorry, Tom. I meant to start a digression, not a gang war.
John H., I appreciated your response to my question, despite some of the negative reactions it (unfairly) provoked. I thought a lot about the issue of user names when I first joined Hatrack (not long ago), and I’ve been wanting to talk about it with those of you who know the BB game better than I do. But I’ll do it on the other thread.
[edit for cosmetic flaws]
[This message has been edited by Deirdre (edited October 23, 2002).]
Posted by jehovoid (Member # 2014) on :
Whenever you set your thoughts into writing repeatedly in the same medium (as in, say, poetry or Hatrack) you'll almost inevitably drift into a persona. I don't expect any Hatrackers to be the same people off the board. I know I'm not.
Oh yeah, well done, Tom. And thanks for totally twisting my feeble mind into an inextricable knot in the Mafia game.
[This message has been edited by jehovoid (edited October 23, 2002).]
Posted by Theca (Member # 1629) on :
Tom, I look forward to reading your posts on any subject here. You are always interesting, succint, and thought-provoking in a non-judgemental way. In fact, if an issue comes up the first thing I want to know is whether you have posted your opinion yet. Here's to another 8000 excellent posts!
Posted by Designated Bumper (Member # 4487) on :
