Posted by Friend [Friend] on April 05, 1999 at 04:55:41 {6.uz.4vynMBao8LWLRQ.OgnjR4Br/g}:
In Reply to: *Dear Covert posted by Covert-IMPORTANT on April 04, 1999 at 20:56:45:
Covert
I still stand by my views of Rick, but I have tempered them with rationality, and I now have the common sense to word them in a manner more suitable for this forum.
It�s nice to see you back. Hopefully Rick too will soon be back in our midst. I�m sure you�ve already tried discussing matters with him and I hope it helps. All of us need mercy and encouragement. What you have said above represents my sentiments well. Regarding that fateful exchange between you and Rick on the NIV, I mostly agreed with your position but felt both sides misunderstood each other�s main point, but we won�t get into that. Nevertheless, as you now realize, expressions could have been more suitable. That, we both agree on.
The whole thing reminds me of a peculiar interchange I once witnessed at an outdoor park outside of Caracas, Venezuela. There were about 40-50 men playing cards and checkers ranging in age from about 15-100. The games were just the excuse to be there, the real game was debating. Those guys were debating everything from baseball to who had the best employer to how to best rob electricity to politics. It was a wide-open affair and a sight to behold. In fact, there were several bystanders, like me, just watching in amazement. There seemed to be no holds barred in the debate except one that was observable, younger people would not lean into the face of older ones (there was plenty of finger shaking though). Otherwise, that was one rowdy bunch and they loved it. No one really got insulted because they could see and watch one another�s expression, nothing personal was going on, it was �strictly business�. I would watch and see the most intense debates end either with or without agreement but always with both parties sitting together peacefully sipping tea, beer or schnapps and winding down before going home. The next day they�d be right back at it again.
As you well know, one problem with a forum like this is that we cannot see and read one another. Without that dimension, it is easy to be negatively misunderstood and for feeling to get hurt unnecessarily. It is easy to go too far.
Anyway, I�m glad to see you back and really hope Rick gets what he needs too. Rick is one genuine person as I�m sure you are too.
Your
Friend