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Having stepped away for a bit and cooled off, and then re-reading your posts, I see now that I was in error and so I apologize. I interpreted your original post as “I don't support slavery like some of the others around me” as opposed to “I'm a southerner and don't support slavery” in support of the assertion that Southerners don't support slavery and any contrary statement like Biden’s “chains” remark is absurd. That was my bad and I should have known better. I really shouldn't log in with a fried brain after 12 hours of writing.

Now, understand you could have defused the situation by offering a simple restatement like the one you just gave in response to my earlier request for clarification, but chose instead to escalate with an in-your-face response. That's why I asked for clarification in the first place, I just couldn't believe personal attack on the good folks down here I thought I was seeing. Your tone appeared to confirm my interpretation. You must know that statements like I thought you said are fighting words here.

Thus, I was correct in my observation that saying something like that without quick clarification can get one in a world of hurt in much the same way as wagging two fingers in front of a proud Scotsman (I learned THAT the hard way when I had the misfortune of trying to order two stouts while in Edinburgh - that was a big guy!).

Nevertheless I should have abstained or at least contemplated your post a bit longer before jumping to a negative conclusion, and apologize. Hopefully this won't poison our future discussions.

Oh, and one humble observation: The “New Guy” epithets don't help. I've observed through the years a certain elitism on this otherwise fine board (and others) based on tenure that doesn't really help advance the discussion but rather is used to argue from authority rather than from logic. In my case, I've been lurking on and donating to this board for many years, but my official duties prevented me from becoming an active participant in the discussion despite GREAT temptation. (I won't say I didn't create a quick stealth account once to offer an comment though back in the 2008 election.) In semi retirement, I'm now more free to indulge.

No harm, no foul. I wasn't in a bar, didn't have to eat my store bought teef (which are still lost, but probably in a suit pocket from the last funeral I was at, or under the refrigerator after a night of teef hockey by the catz).

I'm clear on fighting words, and how some folks misunderstand things. Not my first rodeo.

As far as the 'new guy' thing? Tis the season of election trolls. It comes around every 4 years. I saw one zotted today. Part of the territory. May as well grump about how high the creek is.

I have no hard feelings.

/johnny