I am apparently compelled to post a 'clarification' on the Kerry suit

[WilliamPitt]

Which is frustrating, because it was pretty clear to me. I got this email:

===

Mr.Pitt-Kerry isnt filing a suit?

mr. pitt.
my name is ************* and Im a progressive who is outraged by the supression
in Ohio etc... I get all your columns etc from truhout. this is christmas
eve, I realize, but apparently some explaining needs to be done. caseohio is
saying Kerry isnt filing any suit whatsoever. were told that by kerry's
staff. so us bloggers want to know what is going on here? is this a hoax.
please answer directly, and also go to DU, dailykos etc and clear the air.
thanks

===

My reply, serving as a 'clarification' or something:

===

Well, as it is late on Christmas Eve, I'm not going to do all you ask, but
I will say this: At no point in my article did I say Kerry was filing
suit. I said this:

"2004 Democratic Presidential candidate John Kerry will file today, in the
United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, papers in
support of the Green Party/Libertarian Party recount effort. Specifically,
Kerry will be filing a request for expedited discovery regarding Triad
Systems voting machines, as well as a motion for a preservation order to
protect any and all discovery and preserve any evidence on this matter."

Note the phrase "papers in support." Note the phrase "request for
expedited discovery." Note the phrase " motion for a preservation order."
That is a far cry, clearly, from filing a suit.

Further:

"It should be noted that Kerry's filing of these requests does not
indicate his complete entry into the recount process..."

All here:

http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/122404Y.shtml

What is going on here, to be blunt, is people not reading what is before
them in black and white. Pass that along to anyone who feels the need for
an explanation.

The requests in question will be filed on Monday. They were not filed on
Thursday because of weather and other complications, and were not filed on
Friday because the court was closed for the holiday.

Please feel free to post this wherever you deem it necessary, and I
apologize for sounding short. It is frustrating to me when intelligent
people do not read what is right in front of them.

Perhaps it is my failing; I have a decent amount of legal training and
experience, and so perhaps legal language obvious to me may not be so
clear to others.

[aquart]

1. Merry Christmas, Will.

And Happy Holidays.

[bleever]

2. Yeah, yeah, but how long do we have to look at Marino?

And some odd punctuation on that "request".

Merry Christmas! I hope it's lovely there.

[KoKo]

28. Yeah....tell Trumad to cancel that bet...Sick of Marino.....Blech!!!!

Enough already....:D

[WilliamPitt]

45. You and me both, sister

But I pay off when I lose a bet. Marino is gone at dawn on Sunday.

[Clark2008]

49. You're right

That request looks more like the antics of a regressive Freeper than a progressive.

I'm sure not every progressive has perfect diction and not every Freeper is horribly language-challenged, but this looks like it was snagged off Free Republic's blog.

;)

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

3. Will, you are doing great.

It's Christmas, people are stressed on top of stressed, and they want to kick some repuke ass yesterday. So they sound on anyone or anything that moves nearby.

Barkeep! A double...nah, make that quadruple of your best single-malt for foureyes heeyah! He's been working too hard!

Merry Christmas, bubba. ;-)

[merh]

4. Here ya go Will, I have been trying to convince certain

naysayers and worrisome posters that the litigation exists. If you go to Pacer Services website, you can pull up the dockets of all federal cases on file in various states. To search the court filings, there is no charge, to pull up the dockets (or pleadings) to review, there is a charge of $.07 per page. This is the link
https://pacer.login.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl?court_id=00idx

According to the docket, the below case is on file in the US District Court of Ohio (Southern District). The style is below, then the last 3 documents filed on behalf of Cobb/Badnarik on the 23rd. As I have tried to explain to those that are concerned that Kerry did not file yesterday, yet Cobb did (electronially), Kerry's lawyers may have been prevented from going into the office yesterday due to the storm and/or may not have electricity or internet service. I have further tried to explain that a Monday filing will not be a problem.

Anyway, I hope this helps. Have a Merry Christmas and thank you for all you do Will.

==============================================
U.S. District Court
Southern District of Ohio (Columbus)
CIVIL DOCKET FOR CASE #: 2:04-cv-01139-EAS-TPK

Plaintiff, Delaware County Prosecuting Attorney
David A. Yost, Delaware County Prosecuting Attorney

Plaintiff, Delaware County Board of Elections

V.

Defendant National Voting Rights Institute aka NVRI

Defendant David Cobb, Green Party Candidate through National Voting Rights Institute, aka NVRI

V.

Intervenor Defendant KERRY-EDWARDS 2004 INC

V.

Counter Defendant, J Kenneth Blackwell

Amicus, County Commissioners' Association of Ohio
County Commissioners' Association of Ohio

Amicus, Ohio Association of Election Officials
Ohio Association of Election Officials

Counter Claimant, National Voting Rights Institute aka NVRI

Counter Claimant David Cobb, Green Party Candidate through National Voting Rights Institute, aka NVRI

Counter Claimant Michael Badnarik, Libertarian Party Candidate through National Voting Rights Institute aka NVRI

V.

Counter Defendant, Delaware County Board of Elections

----------------------------------------------

12/23/2004 33 MOTION for Order to Preserve and for Leave to Take Limited Expedited Discovery by Defendants David Cobb, Michael Badnarik, National Voting Rights Institute, Counter Claimants National Voting Rights Institute, David Cobb, Michael Badnarik. (Kerger, Richard) (Entered: 12/23/2004)

12/23/2004 34 Supplemental Memorandum Supporting re 33 MOTION for Order to Preserve and for Leave to Take Limited Expedited Discovery filed by Defendants David Cobb, Michael Badnarik, National Voting Rights Institute, David Cobb, Michael Badnarik, National Voting Rights Institute, Counter Claimants National Voting Rights Institute, David Cobb, Michael Badnarik, National Voting Rights Institute, David Cobb, Michael Badnarik. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit # 2 Affidavit # 3 Affidavit # 4 Affidavit # 5 Affidavit # 6 Affidavit # 7 Affidavit # 8 Affidavit # 9 Affidavit # 10 Affidavit)(Kerger, Richard) (Entered: 12/23/2004)

12/23/2004 35 Proposed Pretrial Order by Defendants David Cobb, Michael Badnarik, National Voting Rights Institute, Counter Claimants National Voting Rights Institute, David Cobb, Michael Badnarik. (Kerger, Richard) (Entered: 12/23/2004)

[KoKo]

20. Will....the title of your post was "Kerry Enters the Fray...." Okay

parsing is good...thank you for clarifying that your subject line had qualifications and that no matter how closely some of us "readers" read...we might have "missed the drift."

Merry Christmas to You...and thanks for coming back here to "qualify."

koko

[many a good man]

5. Kerry should file a suit tomorrow and call it the "Santa Suit"

It would bring joy to all the millions of girls and boys around the world.

Merry Holiday!

:toast:

[zann725]

62. LOL! Nothing like a good pun...

Maybe they'll want to make a sequel..."Santa Suit 2" (filed in Florida or NM??)

[graywarrior]

6. If it makes you feel any better, Will I just had a panic attack

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! I love it when they stop!

[WilliamPitt]

7. It is Friday night, and it is Christmas Eve

And it will be more than 48 hours until this happens.

Deep breaths. Good DVDs. Fine scotch. Walks in the park. Relentless masturbation. Something. Anything. Help me help you. :)

[Darkhawk32]

8. Masturbation?? I'm utterly appalled at that language.....................

You're hurting my virgin ears............

Just kidding. Merry X-mas, Mr. Pitt. :toast:

[WilliamPitt]

9. Virgin ears?

I take it the joys of aural sex have been denied you.

Pity.

:evilgrin:

[Darkhawk32]

10. No, my auditory nerves are usually quite horny..... trust me.

:evilgrin:

[merwin]

19. Personally, I'm more into naval sex than aural sex. n/t

[WilliamPitt]

23. I take it you're an 'innie'

:P

[Nothing Without Hope]

61. LOL - glad our side of this political battle has the sense of humor! n/t

[Ithuilwen]

44. Virgin ears

Be very careful about who you let stuff 'things' in your ears....

Oh. My ho ho just arrived...

Merry Ho Ho

[graywarrior]

29. Drinks and masturbation. I'm skilled in that. See you in a bit.

[progressoid]

30. mmmK, I still don't get it

Who, exactly, will be mastubating for the U S District Court?

[WilliamPitt]

33. Ken Starr

[progressoid]

47. Ooooh, now I get it.

He's pretty well qualified.

[graywarrior]

40. No no, masturbating at the US District Court

[Clark2008]

50. Well, somebody better do something soon

or we're all gonna get fucked!!

:P

[SnoopDog]

11. You just got to realize...

that we all, so much, want to remove the illegal pResident. And, we want our country back.

Every word from everyone is 'parsed' and immediate results are desired. We are simply passionate, patriotic, and true Americans.

MC - HNY....

[WilliamPitt]

13. No more than I do

but the "desire for immediate results" is something parents should have taken care of when folks here were in grade school. There is value in patience, especially when the need for it has been clearly and repetitively spelled out.

Again, sorry for sounding short. You can possibly imagine that the very last thing I want to do is put out fires on Christmas Eve regarding this matter.

[SnoopDog]

15. Patients is a virtue....

We all will have to wait and deal with all outcomes when the time arises.

Never said this to you - thanks WRP for your patriotism!

[Nothing Without Hope]

24. Thanks for your patience, Will

Even though I was already clear on the status of the Kerry filing from your post here yesterday evening, the additional emphasis on the wording of the action in this current post was helpful to me.

This is a good example of how being willing to hold on to patience can help in this high-voltage, emotionally charged situation. I suspect several people will rest easier because of it.

I hope you can get thoroughly recharged with good companionship, peaceful pursuits and plentiful rest before everything breaks loose on Monday. You've explained the delay and the wording of Kerry's filing enough now that you can sit back and let us other readers soothe the worried ones by pointing them to your posts until then.

Be well, and thanks.

[WilliamPitt]

26. I am in New Hampshire, covered in dogs

and watching videos with my mom. Made her watch the "Best of Triumph the Insult Comic Dog' video tonight. Had her in hysterics. She spent the rest of the night walking around shouting "For me to poop on!"

:)

[graywarrior]

31. Are you near N. Conway?

[WilliamPitt]

32. No, down south

[graywarrior]

42. I think we have a mutual friend from Jackson

[WilliamPitt]

43. PM me

[Nothing Without Hope]

37. OMG - the best of all possible worlds!

I'm not going to worry about you any more for this weekend.

Here's a bit of seasonal trivia to please your mom. (Horrors! I don't know its author and have not fact-checked it!)
-------------------
According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, while both male and female reindeer grow antlers in the summer each year, male reindeer drop their antlers at the beginning of winter, usually late November to mid-December. Female reindeer retain their antlers till after they give birth in the spring.

Therefore, according to EVERY historical rendition depicting Santa's reindeer, EVERY single one of them, from Rudolph to Blitzen, had to be a girl.

We should've known... ONLY women would be able to drag a fat-ass man in a red velvet suit all around the world in one night and not get lost.

;-)

[livvy]

38. I'm covered in dogs daily. What kind are you blessed with?

[WilliamPitt]

41. An ancient, sweet black/lab collie mutt

and a rambunctions labrador adolescent. Craziness.

[livvy]

46. I have 3 bouviers. I spent the entire day grooming them.

They are all sound asleep now due to the trauma of the days events. dogs are cool though. They have such devotion. A fine quality in today's world!

[tavalon]

73. I love Triumph!

Your mom sounds pretty cool.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

68. Grew up surrounded by corn and cows...

Corn grows slow and cows ain't real bright. Although I'm now addicted to the city life, and instant gratification..

Blissfully sinking into the decadence my parents warned me about...:eyes:

Thanks Will, and <insert acceptable term here> everyone!

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

69. Here is a quote that seems to sum up the level of patience of our society.

"Instant gratification isn't fast enough for me"-Carrie Fisher

[snowbird42]

12. Write Senators

While we wait we can write Senators.
Or write Kerry


Merry Christmas

Senator Barbara Boxer, [phone],
[e-mail]

Senator Dick Durbin, [phone],
[e-mail]

Senator Russ Feingold, [phone],
[e-mail]

Senator Tom Harkin, [phone],
[e-mail]

Senator Jim Jeffords, [phone],
[e-mail]

Senator Edward Kennedy, 202/224-4543,
[e-mail]

Senator Patrick Leahy, [phone],
[e-mail]

[radio4progressives]

59. FYI Feinstein's emails seem to go directly into the privy -CALL INSTEAD.

I've been calling both Feinstein's and Boxer's offices in SF and DC since the elections and I manage to speak to staff. I tend to call early in the am a couple of times a week. I speak my mind until i'm finished - i don't know what happens after the call is concluded.

But i do know that Feinstein has her filters set for auto replies no matter how personal my email is, it doesn't seem to differenciate between petition or direct communication. This doesn't happen with Boxer's emails to me. but that doesn't really mean much.

I strongly urge telephoning and faxing.

[Darkhawk32]

14. What I wouldn't give to be a fly on the wall in JK's house right now? n/t

[shraby]

16. Merry Christmas Will

may you have a good one.

[WilliamPitt]

18. Working on it

:grr:

Thanks.

[KittyWampus]

17. Merry Christmas. But WHY HASN"T KERRY FILED SUIT YET?

:D

[Darkhawk32]

21. {Waiting for Will's four-letter bomb}

:spank:

:silly:

[WilliamPitt]

22. C'mere, you

This'll only hurt for a second.

crush crush crush

;)

[tavalon]

74. Weather

Already been discussed to death.

[HeeBGBz]

25. We must wait and see what the Jolly Ole Elf brings us

Merry Holidays everyone. Rock on, Will.

[TacticalPeek]

27. Maybe it's the font.

Should have been bigger - with the brassy kerning.

[Bread and Circus]

34. My only question: What's up with the Marino picture? Laces out?

[WilliamPitt]

35. I lost a football bet with trumad

[Nothing Without Hope]

57. What if Trumad had lost?

Are you at liberty to divulge what you would have visited upon Trumad in token of defeat?

In the meantime, I will not be loath to see the end of that garish Marino photo, but I must admit it makes your posts instantly recognizable. After Marino goes, we'll actually have to read your name!

[WilliamPitt]

58. He'd have had to put a Patriots-oriented pic

in his sig. He lost that bet earlier this year. Karma sux.

[Carolab]

67. Pats!!!

MY team!

[KE_04]

71. Re: He'd have had to put a Patriots-oriented pic

Will,
Thank you for what you do here and, THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART), I'm sorry my Steelers beat-up those Patriots earlier this year! By the way, what happened in Miami? LOL



MERRY CHRISTMAS
See you in the playoffs!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[newyawker99]

85. Hi KE_04!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[cilla4progress]

36. Thanks, Will.

We look forward to the fruition of your work on Monday. Interested to see where it goes from there. Lots of hopes pinned, since it at the very least JK is jumping deeper into the fray. I think most of us figure he must have strong evidence, that being the case. These actions can seem to(or in fact do) drag on forever. Things Take Time.

Thanks and enjoy your weekend off!

[WilliamPitt]

39. Appreciated, but

it isn't my work. I'm just reporting on the work of others.

:toast:

[pointsoflight]

48. Your statements were very clear, IMO. n/t

[wlubin]

51. I guess I don't care if it is a suit, or whatever it is you say it is. But

what I do care about is that whatever it is that Kerry is doing on Monday, that it makes that second part that the greens are having trouble showing, namely that a recount could change things, easier to show since now it applies to Kerry, and for him the election was close. Will this be the case after what Kerry does on Monday?

[WilliamPitt]

52. From the article

Previously, the Green Party and Libertarian Party have not fared well in their efforts to get emergency orders regarding this matter in Ohio. In order to pass muster with a judge, the individual or group requesting an emergency order for such a recount must show both irreperable harm as well as a substantial chance for success on the merits. While Green and Libertarian representatives could theoretically be able to show irreparable harm, they could not establish a substantial chance for success on the merits, because no recount would deliver Ohio to either party.

Kerry's entry into this recount effort changes the math on this matter dramatically. He can likewise show irreparable harm, and unlike the Green and Libertarian candidates, he can also prove a substantial chance for success on the merits because he lost the Ohio vote by a statistical whisker.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/122404Y.shtml

[wlubin]

54. Then as far as I am concerned, I don't really care what it is called. It

is very good news regardless.

Thanks Will

Happy Holidays, and that includes Christmas

[WilliamPitt]

53. AND, FROM THE MAGICAL WORLD OF LOL

http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2004/12/23/195949.shtml

[ChicanoPwr]

56. You are right, it is a magical world of lol

I wanted to see what else crap they were writing.

Straight from the front page:
1. Adv.: Men: 'Take Back Your Manhood'
(I take it neo-con men aren't manly men after all.)

or this one

2. Americans Flee to the 'Red' States
(Funny, I am wanting to leave my Red State.)

I just love how the neo-con put a spin on things. The sad part there are many who actually fall for their crap.

[bleever]

65. This is a disappointment; I wanted to see WRP discredited

in colorful terms...specifically green and red!

But I know if I'm patient, I'll be rewarded.

:)

[livvy]

55. Ideally, I'd like to have the election turned over, and have Kerry be

the president. The current misadministration scares me to death.They are so, so dangerous. I don't know if my ideal is possible. It should be, but legally, I don't know. I do firmly believe that * is going down. The last time I felt this strongly was with Nixon. I just knew he was wrong, wrong, wrong. I wore my McGovern button until after Watergate took him out. When people would josh me about it, I'd just say ,"You'll see." I was right then, and I'm sure I'm right now. Thank you for all you have done. P.S. If the young dog is too active, try scratching it right atop the head and down near the nose. For some reason, it tends to calm them.

[Nothing Without Hope]

60. Works on "horned lizards" too

"P.S. If the young dog is too active, try scratching it right atop the head and down near the nose. For some reason, it tends to calm them."

Don't get to post on this too often for some reason -- but while I was growing up in Texas, we often would catch the little flat, harmless lizards we called "horny toads" (honestly, I'm not talking about mouthbreathing freepers here, their official name is "horned lizard"). They would go to sleep in your hand if you stroked them exactly where you say to scratch the young dog, their bright black eyes closing and their head tilting down to rest the chin on your palm. That way, you could admire them for a little while before you let them get back work as mighty hunters of annoying bugs.

[bear425]

63. Thanks Will. Hope you have an excellent Xmas

and that includes every DU'er, too!

[flyarm]

66. WISHING YOU A MERRY MERRY WILL , AND ALL DU'ERS!!

Tonight i walked around the tree in Rockefeller ctr, and i wished our nation prosperity, and peace , and our troops a speedy return to their homeland.
i wish Will Pitt, and all at DU, a very MERRY CHRISTMAS! I had lunch with an online friend who has worked with me diligently for almost 3 years now to educate americans to the evilness in our White House..the first time we have met in person, to you Lois i thank you for all your help, and i salute you for your patriotism....

To the families of my co-workers who were silenced on 9/11, you forever have my prayers and love...and i will fight for the truth until my last breath on this earth!!

And to the Angels of American Airlines flight 11 and 77...i know you are always with me, and helping me search for the truth..i hope i never let you down..rest in peace my dear angels.....I miss you dearly......my heart and mind hear your frustration...

Merry to all and to all a good night.

[seito]

64. Will, you seem to be one of the only people

that can instill a sense of calm on this board. I left for dinner, and the flying monkeys were EVERYWHERE.

Thanks for your post and for the excellent work that you do.

Enjoy the holidays.

:toast:

[PlayOn]

70. The outcome of all this?

Will, you've done a great job on the election '04 aftermath: really filled a media void, and you're to be commended. Here's a question for you: Isn't the most likely positive outcome (from a Democratic perspective) of this, regardless of Kerry's legal action and/or an electoral challenge, that Bush is still sworn in but perhaps his presidency is severely compromised or even toppled down the road? In other words, isn't it pretty well a foregone conclusion that Bush will again occupy the White House, but that committed investigation may bring him down in six months, or a year, or two years? I firmly believe that fraud was committed on behalf of Bush and Repug congressional candidates in '04, but there seems to be a sense of anticipation on this site that Bush will not be sworn in as president, and that Kerry will. I cannot believe this is a realistic notion. I think an electoral challenge would be a huge first step and would be a moral defeat for Bush, and would intensify scrutiny on the '04 election incredibly; but to bring the Bush syndicate down is going to take time and perseverance. This is a bit of a long term endeavor and perhaps we should alter our thinking to reflect as much. I'd be thrilled if you could authoritatively tell me I'm wrong.

[newyawker99]

86. Hi PlayOn!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Vinnie From Indy]

72. It might have been the word "file"

Merry Christmas and Peace to the DU family.

I think your frustration about "intelligent people" is a bit misplaced. You wrote:

"2004 Democratic Presidential candidate John Kerry will file today, in the
United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio,papers in
support of the Green Party/Libertarian Party recount effort.

and

Kerry's entry into this recount effort changes the math on this matter dramatically

and

The activist push to get him involved had a significant effect on his decision to enter this effort.

Granted, you did write that Kerry's filing was not a complete entry into the recount effort, but I think it is perfectly understandable why people might have been confused, especially those readers with little or no knowledge of the legal profession. Judging by the amount of response that your original post generated, your story was misinterpreted by quite a few folks. I think your latest post clarifying the issue is appropriate and timely. It might prevent more than one person from appearing foolish and misinformed at gatherings of all sorts over this holiday season. Thanks Will!

[KoKo]

75. Kick for those who missed this last night...where Will clarifies.....

Happy Christmas to ALL...and Happy Holidays to everyone!

[gdub]

76. ANOTHER KERRY "MOTION"???

Why doesn't the Kerry campaign actually "join" the suit and begin to drive the legal process?

A motion in support by Kerry at this point will achieve what?

Someone enlighten me.

[gdub]

77. And remember

Kerry has already filed a motion in support, in the same Federal court, in the same suit, back at the beginning of December.

Big deal!

It is time for him to join the suit, fund its legal expenses, and coordinate the effort.

Kerry needs to get some balls and stop being such a coy prima donna.

Personally, if he runs for office in 2008, I will not suport him. He is a cardboard cut out intellectual who would rather publicly wring his hands and gaze meaningfully out the window than stand on principal.

[googly]

78. Will, you are a giant amongst us when it comes to

clear thinking, rational thought and common sense. Keep up the
good work!

[Name removed]

79. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[New Earth]

80. you got it wrong

paper tiger=sending letters with no legal weight


this is a lawsuit to protect any and all evidence or potential evidence for discovery. the last lawsuit Kerry joined WORKED. his joining on the last lawsuit in Delaware county made sure that the county had to do a recount.

[gdub]

81. I beg to differ in an effort to ask more of Kerry

He did not "join" the suit. He filed a motion to intervene.

Sargus is a democratic appointee. Would he have issued the same order without Kerry's motion?

My understanding is that Kerry does not have a strategy. His brother Cam is totally against any involvement on his part.

This is piecemeal, political posturing. Not principled action.

What's the difference between calling 911 and letting them know someone is being murdered next door, and running next door to stop the murder yourself?

[read the law first]

82. choice number two is likely to get you killed? sorry, just kidding

You make a good point. I just couldn't resist a set up line as good as that one.

Merry Christmas.:toast:

[PlayOn]

83. I also wonder

whether this is just something to appease part of the base. If Kerry wanted to bring heat about election '04 he could do so incredibly easily: call a press conference and say "I have serious concerns about the credibility of this election, and here's why." A media frenzy would follow. Hasn't happened. Kerry has allowed Jesse Jackson to carry water and sent a few of his lackeys out to make ambiguous statements, and to throw some leads the way of our man Will and Raw Story, but Kerry hasn't interjected himself into the fray considerably. Filing a motion: it's something, it's legally significant, but it does very little to bring the issue of election '04 crimes to the masses, and it basically allows Kerry to stay quiet about the issue. Kerry is proving himself a politician and not a champion of the people to this point, and that makes me very disappointed and angry.

[davidgmills]

84. Non-party interventions into a suit

Will:

I am a lawyer. I know you have some legal training. But there is always a problem, as you know, with a non-party asking for any kind of relief. Why would Kerry, if he remains a non-party, have any standing to ask for expedited discovery or for preservation of evidence?

[SlowDownFast]

87. kick

[valis]

88. I love WilliamPitt, but in this case the tone of his note bothers me...

First, it seems to me that *******'s question was perfectly legit. Second, the tone somehow implies that ******** is a somewhat subintelligent individual (euphemistically put). Perhaps I'm being defensive here, and I'm glad William sent this clarification. Not knowing *******'s identity, I cannot knnow for sure if he/she got offended or not. But others might have had the same "confusion" and identified with *******. Other than that, keep up the good work and always aim for the top, whatever it takes!