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[Gene GeRue <genegerue AT ruralize.com>]

> . . . there is still a point to seeking better in your life, and  
> you will get there a lot quicker if you . . . .

I've been chewing on something for the last several days and the  
quote above provides an intro.

I have at this moment extra freedom. I am on the new computer, prior  
posts are on the old computer which at the moment is being used by  
Chris, so I have not read the post that elicited this reply and so,  
except for the name reference in the second paragraph, I am writing  
with sublime ignorance. I hope that no individual will take offense.

The recent discussion, I think the primary subject line was  
Insurance, bothered me. Not in the differing thoughts presented, but  
in the tone of some of the posts. Health might well be considered the  
most important issue we face. Without health, we are diminished or  
dead. So here we were considering a matter of the greatest  
importance. Several posters offered their considered opinion and/or  
bits of research they have found and thereby added to our collective  
knowledge. And then there were what I will with restraint call  
insincere posts, ranging from flippancy to sarcasm to insult.

What keeps me here is the combination of intellect, experience and  
forthrightness by a group of people who think outside the modern box.  
I expect bias. I love strong opinions. I relish well-reasoned  
discourse. What flaws the experience for me is the tone of some  
posts. When I see sarcasm I first feel empathy for a soul who is  
unhappy. As it continues I become less empathetic and more estranged.  
When I see flippancy in response to sincerity I feel disappointment.  
As flippancy continues I feel anger and question the value of my time  
spent here. When I see insult I feel repulsion.

I don't believe in censorship and will always support free speech.  
But computer magic allows filters to be made. In the future, if you  
become upset with me because I do not respond to a question directed  
to me, you may well consider that I did not read your post because a  
filter saved me from the experience.