The Gaytheist Agenda

Seitan has been simply barraged with letters lately, but he enjoys every one. The first one is from TheRadicalRealist regarding Gay Panic Defense for Lawrence King’s Killer.

Oh dear zeus. This is disgusting. Disgusting. The stupidity of this bigoted, maniacal child’s defense is so overwhelming I cannot describe it. Ugh. If that phony defense is accepted by the judge, I am going to vomit. That child needs to be prosecuted as what he is- a cold-blooded killer. Any less is an injustice.

I’ve made my thoughts clear before and I agree completely. Now all there is to do is wait and see how the case goes.

Next up is Lesbilicious who commented on Sally Kern Makes me Laugh.

Of course we have an agenda! item 1: challenge homophobia. item 2: gain equal rights. any other business? laugh at sally kern.

Funny how they consider that an agenda, but when it comes to the RRRW having equal rights is just considered proper, and challenging bigotry is called “fighting persecution”. What’s up with that?

Now from Conservative Hawk regarding Same Sex Marriage Legal in California

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding. I do take issue with the negative characterization of “the right” and “conniving to overturn it.”

I am a conservative and consider myself to be on the “right”, yet I am opposed to amending the U.S. Constitution to prohibit same sex marriage. This is an issue that belongs in the hands of the people or of the legislature…NOT IN THE HANDS OF 4 lawyers in black robes. They WAY overstepped their powers and usurped powers properly belonging to the people and the legislature. If it is not the will of the people to ban same sex marriage, then there is nothing to be concerned about. In Illinois, we had a group that attempted to get a ballot proposition to do just that. It never made it to election day, but if it had, I would have voted against it. Imagine that, an evil right wing extremist conservative supporting gay rights. Anyway, I have gone on too long now, so Congrats on your upcoming wedding. I wish you and yours the best of luck for a long and happy life together.

Thank you very much for your congratulations, I do appreciate them. And I realize that some of my comments here can sound negative to others. That stems from the frustration of decades of fighting against others for the rights they take for granted, and feel they have the right to deny me and countless others for arbitrary reasons.

You may not be aware but the legislature of California twice vote to legalize same-sex marriage, first in 2005 then again in 2007 . Both times Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed the bill. Now that the Supreme Court has rendered its decision the Governor seems to have had a change of mind (or heart) and has stated that he won’t support an amendment to the state constitution. According to news reports his position has been rather “confusing”:

But Suffredini said the governor’s statements on marriage have often “been very confusing.” Schwarzenegger has sometimes said he stands behind the voters’ decision to prohibit same-sex marriage with Proposition 22, and at other times the governor said the matter should be left to the courts, she said.

Confusing is an understatement. It might be time to get the governor a pair of flip-flops.

At any rate, the decision of the Supreme Court backs what the legislature did twice. And the legislature is the elected body that acts on behalf of the voters so in a very real way the voters have, through their elected officials, twice legalized same-sex marriage in California. While some don’t like that idea and never will it’s still the case.

Furthermore I’m sure I don’t have to tell you about Tyranny of the Majority, and that is exactly what is occurring across America with the bans on same-sex marriage. A minority, gay people, are being denied equal rights by the majority, and it’s being done based almost entirely on the religious beliefs of that majority. What happened to Separation of Church and State?

I’m an atheist (obviously) and have serious qualms about religion and its effects on individuals and society. Nonetheless I’d never attempt to have religion abolished or the civil rights of religious individuals taken away. I used to be a Christian, but even if I hadn’t I don’t imagine I’d be interested in depriving others of their right to practice religion. I merely fight to ensure that the rights of myself and others are not unfairly impinged upon. That seems to be an unending battle, unfortunately.

I commend you for your willingness to vote against a ballot initiative such as the one that we’re facing in November. Few self-described Conservatives would do so. Even some so-called Liberals wouldn’t do it, and some are threatening not to if they’re not assured we’ll vote for their candidate of choice–but that’s another story.

Finally, one more from Conservative Hawk, regarding Sally Kern Makes Me Laugh:

On my blog, I offer equal time to opposing arguments and I hope you do as well.

On your story about Rep. Sally Kern, you laugh at her for claiming something about a “homosexual agenda” and then say you don’t have an agenda. I think you lose your case by the fact that your blog is entitled the “Gaytheist Agenda”.

Now I don’t for a minute believe the homosexual community has an “agenda”, but there is no arguing that the so-called activist groups absolutely have an agenda.

I chose the name of my blog as a joke, a parody of sorts. I’m both a lesbian and an atheist which makes me, as some call it, a gaytheist, that being a combination of gay and atheist. And since we’re always being accused of having some nefarious agenda I figured, what the hey? Why not call the blog The Gaytheist Agenda?

LGBT people, including the “activist groups” (radical and militant ones included–though to some people any LGBT person who sticks up for themselves falls into the radical/militant category) are seeking equal rights and protections under the law. Nothing more, nothing less. If that qualifies as an agenda then it qualifies as an agenda for every other group or individual that seeks or demands their rights in any way, shape or form. So does every single individual and group have an agenda, or is the Homosexual Agenda a fabrication of people who don’t want LGBT people to have equality?

Well, that’s it for this edition of the mailbag. Keep them coming and I’ll continue to read them, after Seitan gets done with them that is.

 

Seitan has gone through the mail bag again. As always he enjoys reading everybody’s comments and has asked for readers to keep sending them in. The first message is from Ezekiel regarding Holocaust Remembrance Day:

I was shocked to learn recently from the play: “The Re-Education of George W. Bush” (by Peterson Toscano) that when U.S. troops liberated many of the camps, when they found out what the pink triangles (and presumably black patches, though I don’t know on that count) meant, they actually put many of the gay survivors back into prison, believing this to be an instance where the Nazis seemed to be on the right track.
Chilling, from a country that seems to have an obsession with having been “the good guys” in this and every other war.

I’d like to say that surprises me but it doesn’t. There are people who would do that even today if they could get away with it. Where they get the idea that imprisoning, threatening, or torturing LGBT people is going to change anything I don’t know. It hasn’t changed anything since the beginning of time so why would it work now? Gay people exist, and all of the efforts to repress us simply hasn’t changed anything. Sadly some notions refuse to die and I can’t help but wonder if people centuries from now will be having the same arguments as we are now thanks to personal bigotries and an ancient book known as The Bible.

Next up is this from VickiLynne who commented about Specialist Jeremy Hall:

What ashame a soldier goes to fight for freedom which includes religious freedom for others but doesn’t have any of their own.

It is indeed sad. Unfortunately the breed of people who believe religious freedom extends only to their religion have taken over the military as well as much of the government and it’s going to take some real effort to set things right. Fortunately the tide seems to be turning and the RRRW appears to be losing ground, though I’m not yet ready to throw my victory party.

Also regarding Spc. Hall, this comes from Ebon:

I’ve been hearing about Spc. Hall and similar situations for some time now, including at least one body devoted to converting the military.

For anyone who has some knowledge of history, the idea of the USA’s collosal military might presided over by religious fanatics (of any religion) is, frankly, positively terrifying.

Agreed. Anybody who believes that they must impose their way on everyone else–one way or another–very much disturbs me.

This last piece comes from Joe G. regarding Gay Panic Defense for Lawrence King’s Killer.

You’re right! The killer was unable to see any other way? What, he didn’t know about counselors or administrators or social workers at 14 years of age? Give me a break. I know kids half his age that could have made a better choice than this 14 year old did. The lawyer needs to work on getting this kid help (at the very least) and not getting him free of any responsibility for purposely killing another human being.

Any rational person knows that, as you and I do. But the assumption behind the “gay panic defense” is that it is normal for a person to flip out when a person of the same gender shows an interest in them, thus perpetuating the notion that gay people are dangerous predators. What ever happened to simply saying “I’m not interested” or “No thank you”?

Quest maintains that “this was a confluence of tragic events that could have been stopped”. I agree with that, though not with his assessment of how. Homophobia is the problem, and the cures are education and tolerance.

The mailbag is empty again and Seitan has gone off for a nap. Until later, dear readers!

It’s time for another edition of the Gaytheist Agenda Mailbag. My first submission comes from stebbytubbysenior who wrote regarding my good friend Sally Kern

this particular woman is a wart on the anus of the satan she so fervently believes in and that we atheists actually don’t….. mock her, fire her, shame her. Maybe then she’ll have the time to get to read and understand the constitution…..

I wouldn’t describe her as colorfully as you have, but Sally Kern is indeed a nasty character. She believes that certain people and beliefs are superior to others, and of course she and her beliefs belong in that superior category. Then she thinks it’s fine to relegate people she deems inferior to second (or lower) class status and provide them fewer rights and privileges based on her arbitrary notions of what is right and wrong. She claims it’s God’s Word, but like most of her ilk she’s not applying the Bible equally but rather cherry-picking. I wonder how many shellfish and pork dinners she’s eaten lately, how many blended fabrics and how much gold/pearl jewelry she wears, and why she thinks she has the right to teach males. (And that’s only the beginning, mind you.) Indeed, she thinks the Constitution only applies to people she deigns to allow it to apply to. I seem to recall it saying We the people, not We the fundamentalist Christians.

 
The next entry comes from Ebon regarding Rights Groups Ask that Teen Be Tried in Juvenile Court.

I could go either way on this. On the one hand, I’m ethically opposed to the whole concept of seeking “trial as an adult”. It seems to be something used not according to the individual maturity of the offender in question but as a symbol of especially emphatic disapproval which eliminates the whole point. If we’re going to say that people committing X crime should be judged in the same way regardless of age, then let’s just say that, not go through this charade of seeking special permission.

On the other hand, would McInerney be being tried as an adult if he had shot a straight kid?

I’m still conflicted on the matter myself. Part of me still wants to have him tried as a juvenile because he’s 14, and because he’ll have a greater chance to have rehabilitation rather than mere warehousing and punishment. The other part of me feels that despite him only being 14 he took a gun to school, with premeditation, and shot a boy in the head twice–in front of the whole class–because the boy was gay, so he should take his chances being tried as an adult.

Would McInerney be tried as an adult if he’d shot a straight kid? I really think he would considering he used a firearm ( in a classroom full of students no less). That’s a very serious offense which, if he’s actually tried as an adult, can add up to 25 years to his sentence. The hate-crime penalty only adds 1-3 years by contrast.

 
Entry #3 comes from yousuck at your.a.jew@***.com. I have no idea what s/he was commenting on but here’s what my new best friend had to say:

****ing christian

No, I am not a Christian (nor am I Jewish as your probably phony e-mail address seems to suggest). Though I was Christian for about 20 years I reverted back to my former state of atheism in my late 20s when I lost my faith. Of course I should think that would be obvious given that the name of this blog is The Gaytheist Agenda, and many of the posts focus on atheism. By the way, I sense a great deal of hostility in you. Have you ever considered volunteer work or meditation? They can work wonders.

That wraps up this edition of the Mailbag. Stay tuned until next time.

 

A few weeks ago I posted the story of James Corbett, a CA teacher who is the target of a lawsuit for alleged “anti-Christian comments” made to students. A few comments have arrived about the piece and I’d like to share them now. First up, Yav said:

I heard some of the comments James Corbett said to his students on the news, and I was very curious to read the reactions of Americans on blogs. Knowing the very strong religious views of many Americans, I expected to see one-sided reactions, but I was surprised to come across your blog, and I think you summarized quite well the situation. I however wanted to add a little comment: as an atheist, it is difficult for me to see some people being so extremist in supporting their religion, and in particular, to see how some people are so eager to say that their own religion is the “right” one. While I condemn the way James Corbett tried to make his case, I tend to agree with him that religion is, and has always been, a divider between people. It suffices to look at the opinion Christians have of Muslims, and vice versa, or how Jewish people tend to contemn non-Jewish (By this, I refer, for example, to the fact that many Jewish families would fiercely want their children to marry other Jewish). I do not have the pretension to say that the world would be better without religions, but religion is not gonna save us, unless religious people finally start behaving in the good-manner that is being preached to them. I do not want to make it a generality, but throughout my young life, I haven’t met many religious people whose actions and thoughts were purely altruistic. How contradictory of their “faith”…

Just as a reminder, through what I just wrote, I do not, in any way, intend to be disrespectful of any religion in particular, on the contrary, I hope that all religions would finally realize that we all seek the same, and that small nuances should not be responsible for wars and hatred.

Thank you very much, Yav. I do find it interesting how one-sided things can be for some. Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Religion are paramount–so long as they apply to Christians and Christianity. When it comes to others suddenly we’re talking “Radical Activists” who are “trying to destroy” everything from the family to American society as a whole. They cannot be allowed to speak freely (let alone be allowed to enjoy other Constitutional rights) or all will be lost.

I was a Christian for about 20 years and the entire time I had the utmost respect for other religions and their followers, as well as for non-believers. As far as I was concerned my belief was what I felt was right for me, and others had the right to choose their own path. The notion of attempting to force my ways on anybody else via proselytization, law or any other means was repugnant to me. Sadly too many people disagree and that’s where we’ll have constant friction.

Your idea of people practicing what their religion preached would go a long way. Instead too many seem to be trying to get others to practice what they think the religion preaches (whether those others practice the same religion or not). Were it only that all believers would use religion to guide their own lives instead of as a weapon against others….

 

Next up is Steph, who said:

‘I just wanted to point this case out so maybe some believers might just understand where we’re coming from when we demand they stop pushing their anti-LGBT, anti-atheist, ant-Islam, anti-Jewish, etc. opinions on us. If we’re to be tolerant of you, you must offer the same courtesy to us.’

from a gay christian, amen to that.

Thank you. You know, I recall Jesus saying something about “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. Funny how so few people who call themselves Christians practice that. But then again they seem to be so much more about the Old Testament than the New, no matter what they say….

Moving along, John said:

 

You’re comments are biased. I am gay and think this teacher is out of line. Would you feel the same way if the teacher began saying words like “k*ke” and other anti semitic slurs? Why should one religion be respected and another trashed? Is that fair? It is actually unconstitutional for the State to favor one religion Judaism) and persecute another (Christianity). You give gays a bad name because of your hypocrisy. Ever hear the adage that two wrongs don’t make a right? You’re a typical brainwashed j*ckass…atheism good, Judaism and Buddhism good…Christianity bad? It makes absolutely no sense.

Hmmmm, John, did you actually read my comments? Specifically the part where I stated I support this lawsuit as I do the lawsuits of those who go to court over religious people preaching hatred in schools towards LGBT people or those of other religions. Perhaps you should go re-read the post again. Nowhere did I say “Christianity bad, everything else good”. What I said was that Christians need to disabuse themselves of the belief that they can/should be able to say whatever they want, whenever they want, yet turn around and cry “persecution” when others exercise their right to speak what they see as the truth. Christians can’t have it both ways. In other words, the very restrictions that “silence” them protect them too, and they need to recognize that.

Just so you’re aware, I take all forms of hatred seriously, have spoken out against Antisemitism, white supremacists and myriad violations of human rights. Unlike many others, I do care about people other than those some book or designated leader say I’m allowed to.

Thank you for your comments. I hope you don’t mind I corrected the spelling and edited the foul language. I guess that’s just the jack*ss in me.

I received this very eloquent letter from James Nimmo to Sally Kern in my e-mail today and couldn’t resist sharing it with everybody.

Mrs. Kern:

I’ve just listened to the 20-minute interview you had with OKC’s channel 9 in regard to the public speech you made sometime after the first of the year deriding and demeaning Oklahoma’s gay/lesbian taxpaying citizens.

The real danger is not whether being gay/lesbian is more of a threat than terrorism or the Islamic religion. I think the real danger is you as a legislator standing on the soapbox paid for by the taxpayer and denouncing honest, hardworking Oklahomans as inferior to you and your acquaintances.

You keep referring to the home, the family, and traditional marriage as being threatened by gay people who want the same things for their families that you already have. Do you feel there is a shortage of love and commitment and it must be rationed to only people who act and think as you do?

Why are you not introducing bills that would eliminate divorce? Divorce is the opposite of marriage and frequently causes distress to children yet what are you doing about this refutation of traditional marriage?

You couch your diatribes in terms of the First Amendment guarantee of free speech but you fail to back them up with specific references to peer-reviewed studies or professionally-qualified experts.

I feel this is the equivalent of yelling fire in a crowded theater.

Yes, you can say these things, but as a legislator you owe to your constituents as well as those hearing you to base your remarks on facts and not your superstitions.

James Nimmo
Oklahoma City, OK

Thank you so much, James, for sending your letter to me. I couldn’t have said it any better than you did. Best wishes to you and keep fighting the good fight!

A few days ago I posted a story from The Daily Mail about Ophelia Kirwan. The story in The Daily Mail claimed that Ophelia’s parents were considering cosmetic surgery for the toddler, who hasDown’s Syndrome, so that she might fit in better with her non-disabled peers. Being a staunch disability-rights advocate I came out very much against that idea.

I have been contacted by Mr. Laurence and Mrs. Chelsea Kirwan and they have stated that the story in the Daily Mail was entirely false and obtained under false pretenses. Here is their e-mail as follows.

I would recommend that you read Chelsea’s and my comments in response to the Mail
Article. Please see Ophelia’s web site Ophelia My Life So Far where the comments are posted. You can also read my interchange with the ‘Mail on Sunday’ writer, Bonnie Estridge prior to publication of the article. As a friend of mine with a Down syndrome child said, ‘the only thing you can believe in the Mail is the date!’ This article by Amanda Cable infers that she had an interview with the Kirwans prior to writing the March 10 piece. Neither I nor Chelsea has ever spoken to Amanda Cable. We never stated or implied the title. Ophelia is reported as living in Knightsbridge
whereas the Mail commissioned her photographs at her home in Greenwich, Connecticut, USA. All of the interviews between Bonnie Estridge of the ‘Mail on Sunday’ and Chelsea were held by transatlantic telephone calls.

We have never recommended or even considered cosmetic surgery for Ophelia. We are far more interested in her health, as well as her physical and mental development. Of course we love Ophelia as she is.

The decision to have surgery on a child with congenital anomalies is a complex one taken between the parents and their surgeon. We should leave that decision to the individual family and their medical advisors to decide on its own merits. Reconstructive surgery for congenital anomalies of all kinds has improved the quality of life of millions of children. As a plastic surgeon I have spent my life correcting congenital deformities in the USA and in Third World countries, as part of charitable missions

Please take the time to read our comments on Ophelia’s web site as well as her diary which documents Ophelia’s progress over the last 2 years and our emotions during that period.

Lastly, Chelsea and I were assured that this was a mother daughter article for Mother’s Day without any mention of me or plastic surgery. If we had known otherwise we would never have been a party to this shameful article which is a disservice to all individuals with disabilities and to the Down syndrome community in particular. We have always championed research into Down syndrome and that is why in the original article of March 2, Bonnie Estridge gives the names of the charities we support. Neither charity has any interest in cosmetic surgery but is primarily concerned with developmental progress and quality of life issues.
Laurence and Chelsea Kirwan

Thank you for your letter, Mr. and Mrs. Kirwan. I’m pleased to discover that you love your daughter just as she is and wish you well in your dealings with The Daily Mail.

This first comment comes from Kristy, regarding Greed is Good… in which I covered the followers of Prosperity Gospel.

Kenneth Copeland put on a excellent performance at his latest ministers
conference held on January 22,2008 visible at
http://www.wittenburgdoor.com/copelandclips , which has now gotten the
attention of people all across the USA, and abroad. The message he was
unmistakably sending, came across loud and clear on every subject he was
addressing. From voicing his personal feelings about the senate investigation,
to a multitude of other issues facing KCM. Surprisingly, Kenneth does admit to
some element of truth in the letter KCM received from the Senate, but did not
go into any detailed explanations. Also in his defense, he makes the accusation
that the truth is being twisted a bit. A old saying comes to mind , what comes
around goes around. Years of promoting the promises of prosperity, physical
healing, and last but not least the twisting of biblical scripture for personal
gain has returned to KCM full circle.
“ I had a home“, “I had a life“, “I had faith“, “I had a family“, “I lost a
loved one“, these are merely a handful of endless testimonies coming to light
nationwide. Ranging from all walks of life, their heartbreaking testimonies
can be found throughout the web, yet inconceivably, victims are being labeled
as fools, ignorant, and basically downright blind for not seeing the truth
behind the Prosperity Gospels falsehoods. Being only human, our quest for
health and wealth, regrettably does lead some in the wrong direction.
Promises and guaranties, made by the Prosperity Gospel ministers, give
people that have not obtained these blessings on their own, a second chance at
achieving their goals in life. An important discovery I made while reviewing
testimonies, revealed the fact numerous victims had very little knowledge of
the Prosperity Gospels dark side. These unfortunate victims, appear to be
equipped with only a small portion of the web of deceit these ministers weave
. For example, picture yourself being raised in a small country town, with a
population of only a few hundred, the closest city, only a population of only
a few thousand. Computers, internet, cable, satellite TV, and other high tech
gadgets are not needed or desired. This was my life, before KCM.
Prosperity Gospel ministers enter the homes of many victims though a thirty
minute Sunday morning worship service on a local broadcast station. Myself,
growing up in Jigger La., truly located in the middle of nowhere, I can testify
to the fact that we only received on a clear day about three or four channels at
most. Therefore warnings of the numerous dangers, and intentional deceit,
associated with Prosperity Gospel ministries, being made by critics, ministers,
and victims went unheard by many. The irony of this are the many warning labels
we all encounter every day. From cleaning supplies to over the counter
medications, labels posted on various products warn us of the dangers associated
with that particular product. Regrettably Prosperity Gospel does not offer this,
but should! Family’s have lost their homes, lifesavings, and some even their
lives to the Prosperity Gospel.
Unfortunately my mother was not one of the lucky ones, her confidence, and
faith in this false Gospel, ultimately cost her, her life. After more than a
decade of programming her mind to believe and think the Prosperity Gospel way
of life, she lost her battle with cancer. By refusing medical attention, she
sealed her fate, but the programming she had acquired from Kenneth and Gloria
Copeland proved strong all the way to her last breath. A diary she left
behind revealed the horrific tale of her life from 1992-2002, the top of each
page titled with Kenneth Copeland, Gloria Copeland, or BVOV. Some mistakes in
life we can not undo, and good intentions don’t always go as planed, these
victims are simply following misleading promises of health and wealth. Their
use of miraculous healing confessions, and newly found wealth testimonies, are
their sales pitch, my mother among others, are proof that their sale pitch does
work. The possibility of certain Mega churches misusing contributors finances
for their own personal luxuries is ultimately what brought this scam to the
publics attention, not the loss of life, the financially bankrupt, nor the
numerous homeless victims that have been left in the wake of this devastating
hoax.
Knowledge, is the only discovery I found to be effective in this seemingly
endless battle. Sadly for some our efforts will go unheard. As for my family,
once again I am addressing another envelope to Kenneth Copeland Ministries,
asking once again for a summery of my mothers (Bonnie Parker) contributions to
KCM, and since they have bankrupt our family also due to the numerous expenses we
encountered before and after mom’s death, and once more, ask them to purchase a
headstone for mom. I believe they at least owe her that much.
The family of Bonnie Parker

Photo, before and after KCM,
http://picasaweb.google.com/sis359/BonnieParkerDiaryPhoto
Documentary Suffer The Children, exposes televangelists lavish lifestyles ,
http://www.wittenburgdoor.com/suffer-children
Book recently published by Sara Posner, also looks into these subjects,
God’s Profits
Request for contributions viewable at http://sis359.blogspot.com

It appears that there are some genuine victims in the Prosperity Gospel game and my original perception that all are willing and knowing participants was incorrect. I wish you well, Kristy, in your quest to obtain remuneration from Kenneth Copeland Ministries. You may also want to look into Earth’s Greatest Lawsuit. Whether or not it can actually recoup money on behalf of your mother I cannot say. However it may very well help put a crimp in the machine that preyed on her and countless others.

My next comment was a very brief one from Stephen Thomas who, regarding Five Years Too Many said :

Wow. Five years. Incredibly sad.

I’m in full agreement with you on that, Stephen.

This final piece is from Peg at Ask a Lesbian in response to Bible Banging Babies

I had to chuckle that the mother “has not idea why” her son started to preach.

And these are the same parents that go to such great lengths to keep their children
from hearing anything about same sex marriage in school? How then, do the children
learn all about fornication and homosexuality at this early age? Perhaps these
parents are exposing them to X-rated activities at too early an age.

I too find it interesting how the RRRW whackjobs will go all-out to have everything they consider “offensive” banned from TV, radio, library and other outlets so their precious darlings won’t be exposed to perverted or immoral influences. Then they turn right around and have the kids read the Bible! The Bible has more smut, violence and utter depravity in it than anything on the NYT Bestseller list. But the fundies hold it up as the pinnacle of moral virtue and source of all that is good in the world. It just goes to show how warped their “values” are.

Well, that’s it for the mailbag for now. Keep reading and writing, everybody!