I've been lurking rather than posting lately. Witnessed the ugly "flame wars" and hope they stop soon. Seems kind of silly.

Yes, there is an obviously informed coterie of "techies" (Pollys) who are aware of things us "general public peoples" are not, because most of us still get our news from television, etc. I for one am interested in what they have to say. Debate is useful.

However, as a wise person once wrote, "Ignorance--while not an excuse--is not a crime." No one should be treated like a criminal for not being Peter de Jager.

Most people who came to this forum long ago, did so for one reason: To learn more about something which had the capacity to dramatically change our lives.

Many of us did not arrive wearing "tin-foil" hats. We commuted to work while listening to the ABC Radio Network, NPR and classical music. We knew who Art Bell was, but he wasn't on our play-list.

By my own count, the people who have populated this forum over at least the past year have included soccer moms, university professors, computer programmers, stockbrokers, software engineers, doctors and their wives, farmers, military retirees, embedded systems programmers, hospice caregivers, real estate professionals, small business owners, teachers, lawyers, historians, network security specialists, ranchers,accountants, pilots, inventors, artists, sociologists, police detectives, salespeople, pastors and their wives, journalists, big iron" systems analysts, paralegals, paramedics and many more professionals.

Now, it's obvious that many of the originals on this forum have begun lurking, or changed their "handles." It's understandable, because things are getting tense now that we're nearly there.

Recently, someone wrote that the reason we--in the United States--become worried about possible calamities is because, not since the Civil War have we had to deal with anything remotely approaching a mass disaster on our own soil, i.e., England's World War II "Blitz," etc. We've been fortunate, and I try to thank God for that every day. Having lived and travelled extensively overseas, I feel blessed to have been born an American citizen.

So now, I suppose we are--after a fashion--like students headed off to college. We don't know if we will flunk out. We just don't know, because it's something we've never done before.

Like many of the "Pollys" I have tremendous faith in our ability to overcome any problems Y2k may bring. Why? Because America is not what you see on television talk shows every day.

Accordingly, this "semi-oldtimer" is wishing the very best for you this holiday season and also in the coming year, and for what it's worth, I am wishing you positive thoughts about our own capabilities, regardless of what Y2k may actually bring.

God bless.

:)

P.S. You can wish me a happy birthday while you're at it, if ya want to! (Nope--I'm not naming the year or the date!)

:)

-- FM (vidprof@aol.com), November 23, 1999

Answers

Happy Birthday and Happy Thanksgiving!

Wonderful sentiments that are much appreciated...thanks.

-- Sharon (Sking@drought-ridden.com), November 23, 1999.

And...no jokes about Thanksgiving "turkeys." I've heard 'em all, already.

:)

-- FM (vidprof@aol.com), November 23, 1999.

FM,

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Brithday. Peace on earth and good will to all.

-- (Polly@troll.com), November 23, 1999.

FM,

Happy Belated Birthday and a wish for many, many more! It's good to see you again; I've missed your input and perspective.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

-- Wilferd (WilferdW@aol.com), November 23, 1999.

Thanks, this is nice.

-- Count Vronsky (vronsky@anna.lit), November 23, 1999.

that was nice and sweet and wise. You are right we are abunch of pussyfoots in this country never been tested, guess we will find out shortly. anyway happy birthday(or belated) ole timer, and Happy Holidays too. Sandy

-- sandy (rstyree@overland.net), November 23, 1999.

Happy Birthday, FM!!! And thanks again for all the on-the-spot coverage that you put into creating transcripts for the forum when critical Y2K events came up. That was invaluable.

And Happy Thanksgiving, too.

-- King of Spain (madrid@aol.cum), November 23, 1999.

Happy Birthday & Thanksgiving, FM.

@}'-->---

Live and let live.

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), November 24, 1999.

Aloha and a happy thanksgiving to all!

And the flame wars are expected to end within 45 days...(possibly in about 37...)

-- Mad Monk (madmonk@hawaiian.net), November 24, 1999.

FM- Have a wonderful B-day!! Wishing the best for you and yours over the Holidays and beyond!

-- karla (karlacalif@aol.com), November 24, 1999.

FM,

Happy birthday and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Debbie M.

-- Deb M. (vmcclell@columbus.rr.com), November 24, 1999.

What I give thanks for;

My God

My wife

My children

My family (Mother, brother, sister, in-laws)

My patriotic brothers/sisters

My employer

The internet.

Happy birthday FM, may there be many more.

-- R. Wright (blaklodg@hotmail.com), November 24, 1999.

My birthday is coming up, too! All I will say is that it is after Thanksgiving, but before December starts!

And it is one of those milestone birthdays, too. Mom told me the other day I get to choose any kind of cake I want!

Yummmmm!

-- preparing (preparing@home.com), November 24, 1999.

To ALL!! Happy Birthday FM!

-- Gayla (privacy@please.com), November 24, 1999.

Thanks to all! Holiday blessings to you!

Great art, Gayla!

:)

-- FM (vidprof@aol.com), November 24, 1999.

Why I'm thankful, and how I'll spend Thanksgiving with the kiddies.

-- hahahaha (the@onion.com), November 24, 1999.