Welcome back Mitch. I hope your sabatical gives you a fresh approach to posting here. We all miss your keen observations, and your dedication as a Cardinals fan. Most of all we love your beautiful prose.
Just to inject a little piece of candor into this post, I couldn't help noticing that is was Brian in Mesa who injected into this perfectly civilized post, that you and your students need to have a thicker skin if you wish to post on this board. I simply don't see that as the answer, as it is EXACTLY this kind of mentality that encourages posters here to bash anyone with whom they disagree. The fact that he is a moderator on this board, and thus posters look to him to see how it is done, is precisely why someone in his position should not provide ANY sort of reason, (or even a hint of encouragement), for anyone to continue distasteful conduct directed at ANY poster. This is an abohrant stand for anyone in authority to take in my opinion. I find it offensive.
Mitch, you put nothing but love into this post, as did all of the respondents, save one. To have a moderator, (of all people), tell you and your students to grow a thicker skin is simply shameful. It is one thing to have a couple of posters exchange friendly barbs with each other. It is completely different to not only allow, (but to encourage) bashing that has nothing to do with friendliness. How can anyone expect the posters on any board to remain civil with each other, when the moderators themselves seem to be the very people who encourage the practice? I join your friends in welcoming you back.
