[Catspaw]

There has been no debate recently. It's been vicious, comparable to the Clinton days. And you know I don't like mentioning his name.

[Lorianne]

I haven't felt the pressure to conform. And even someone(s) did try to make me conform ... well let's just say, I know what to say.

[Coop]

There has been no debate recently.

That's patently absurd. I was going to call up a few thousand examples for you, but then I realized you're in your own little world. (Goodness, I hope I didn't hurt your feelings!)

[Peach]

I agree with you; lots of freepers agree with you. But you'll get arguments from a few and have already, I see. LOL

[Killborn]

Well everything will calm down. I'm not a good debater so when I face opinions I STRONGLY disagree with, I just choose not to comment or go to another thread. If I have already commented and it turns out I reject the person's view strongly, I just politely conclude and pull out.

Whatever you do, don't jump ship. If FR ever deteriorates, it will be from losing FReepers; libertarians or ultra conservatives it doesn't matter.

The only one who should leave are trolls. Esp. DUmmie ones. They stink. :)

[maine-iac7]

Okay guys - this post has noting to do with the boo hoos - just a light "give you an outloud guffaw" which will lighten your mood. (laughter really is the best medicine) My son-in-law, a Navy pilot just sent it to me.

***Subject: FW: Quanta's Pilot gripe sheet For the aviator

Remember it takes a college degree to fly a plane but only a high school diploma to fix one. Reassurance for those of us who fly routinely in their jobs.

After every flight, Qantas pilots fill out a form, called a "gripe sheet," which tells mechanics about problems with the aircraft. The mechanics correct the problems, document their repairs on the form, and then pilots review the gripe sheets before the next flight. Never let it be said that ground crews lack a sense of humor.

Here are some actual maintenance complaints submitted by Qantas' pilots (marked with a P) and the solutions recorded (marked with an S) by maintenance engineers. By the way, Qantas is the only major airline that has never had an accident.

P: Left inside main tire almost needs replacement. S: Almost replaced left inside main tire.

P: Test flight OK, except auto-land very rough. S: Auto-land not installed on this aircraft.

P: Something loose in cockpit. S: Something tightened in cockpit.

P: Dead bugs on windshield. S: Live bugs on back-order.

P: Autopilot in altitude-hold mode produces a 200 feet per minute descent. & nbsp; S: Cannot reproduce problem on ground.

P: Evidence of leak on right main landing gear. S: Evidence removed.

P: DME volume unbelievably loud. S: DME volume set to more believable level.

P: Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick. S: That's what they're for.

P: IFF inoperative. S: IFF always inoperative in OFF mode.

P: Suspected crack in windshield. S: Suspect you're right.

P: Number 3 engine missing. S: Engine found on right wing after brief search.

P: Aircraft handles funny. (I love this one!) S: Aircraft warned to straighten up, fly right, and be serious.

P: Target radar hums. S: Reprogrammed target radar with lyrics.

P: Mouse in cockpit. S: Cat installed.

And the best one for last.................. P: Noise coming from under instrument panel. Sounds like a midget pounding on something with a hammer. S: Took hammer away from midget