[Mr. Silverback]

My wife and I were planning our son's 3rd birthday party.

My sympathies to your son. My birthday is the day that Challenger blew up.

[the lone haranguer]

Thanks, Mr. Silverback. His story, though is really a good one. He was a preemie (3 mos early), 2lbs, 10oz. and 14". He was very sick and we were unsure if he'd survive. Today is his 5th birthday, and he is a big, strapping, VERY lively boy. No fanatical idiots pursuing death and wanton destruction of innocents can take away the miracle and blessing that he is to me. His birthday, like yours, will always bear a negative connotation, and rightly so to some, maybe even him, but to me, as his father, nothing can or will override my joy at his arrival. I bet your folks would say the same.