I can't help but be reminded of the long history of empassioned, drama-laden usenet/message board farewells. I'm making neither assumptions or predictions, but I've usually observed that with appropriate applications of attention and entreaties to reverse the decision, the poster usually returns.

As for personal experience:

• I've enjoyed reading many of kdb's posts and have learned much from him.
• In feel he has often painted DBIS participants with a wide brush; I know in many cases been incorrect in his interpretation of my thoughts/feelings/intentions/behavior in those generalized assessments.
• I've avoided posting to escape the flaming I expect to follow. I could be wrong, but have good evidence to support my expectations.
• I've found the need to agonize over writing ideas with the necessary degree of precision, even remarks intended to be innocuous, even complementary exhausting. Givem my expectations of failure I've often found participation to be more trouble than it's worth to me (maybe to the delight of all, in  which case start sending those thank you notes now!)
• I do not agree that plain spoken is synonymous with rudeness or an excuse to always speak with defensiveness or antagonism.
• I believe I can identify a self-fulfilling prophecy when it waves its flags in fron of my eyes.
• KDB has much to offer, but discourages those who might appreciate his thoughts in his delivery. But it's not for me to choose the message or define the messenger, however it's obvious that we can wish to order the world and its inhabitants to our liking all we want, as long as we don't get delusionary about our entitlement to do so.

I fully expect the day will come that each of the preceeding comments will be held against me, but I hope I'm just jumping to conclusions on that.

Perhaps I should have first asked if anyone cares what I think! Fortunately, I can post anything I want if I remember I can't control how others cosse or decline to reespond.

Kelly