I read Marshall McLuhan in college in the mid 60's. You know, the medium is the message guy. What I took away from the book is this: The cooler (i.e., more abstract) the medium, the hotter (i.e. more emotional) the message. Therefore people will say things in email or talk radio that they would never say face to face with another person. I try to remember that when I am emailing or using the telephone, both relatively cool media, and I avoid talk radio. Face to face, our good manners tend to take over and keep things at the right temperature, most of the time. Fair winds, following seas and reasonable fuel prices to all Bob Salmons Veronica Willard 40 RPH