Several months ago after a few individuals I knew from other places stopped visiting this board, I just had the thought that I would extend explanation to MB and let him know that most of the rancor was due to being egged on by Idiot, mainly. (Idiot == HistorianPDQ, etc)

I just wanted more people to talk to.

We chatted in a few emails. The guy is clever and has some insights. Also some witty snark.

I thought "f*** it, he may have some entertaining ideas, I'll give him a nick here." Which I did. He posted some months ago, and then just recently came back and posted the last stuff you see.

Sometimes someone who is quite smart can have absolutely no wisdom or anything specific to add.

I can't stand the old adage "you can always learn something from everyone you encounter." Some people have little to nothing to add. There are people that offer nothing to learn from.