> How in the world did we go from SMART to GOP?

This train went in the ballast right after your opening post! Seems they often do.

How, well lets see!

Seems the simple presentation of a simple ordinary matter of fact, which is what you did Mike (and thank you), provokes some poeple to offer demeaning comments, I guess as to as to why they shouldn't be facts, or something - (not really sure what the point was).

A ways down Bob2 sarcastically complained (seemed like a complaint anyway) about thaat and the all the "dis-information" and "phony environmentalists" messing with the NCRA and this forum.

That brought OPB online to his defense, seconding the emotion - probably a bit too graphically, referring to the problem as "intellectual elitism" on this forum and in society in general. He also postulated about "hidden agendas" - I think that was the lightning rod. He must have hit too close to home!

Then, A ways down, someone (didn't give a name or regularly used handle) flames OPB with a fifty page flameout, making all sorts of references to those Wascally wepublicans. (I don't get the connection either)

So there you are - Now all the wheels were in the ballast!

Too bad! But I guess maybe being flamed for defending another flamed-on poster could be considered a badge of honor. I could suggest that in the future we all just ignore "ad hominem" attacks or other demeanimg provocations, but that might lead to the de facto silencing of perfectly relevant and valid opinions (or at least respectable ones). I don't know the answer.

Maybe Rodney King said it best: "Can't we all just get along"

Naw, probably not, as long as some seem look down their noses at others.