To all the new members: I hope that you will stick around and share your kilt-consciousness with us. Each of us brings something to the table, and we are all diminished if we lose a member.

There are really just a couple of things that I try to keep in mind here. Believe me, I have stopped myself before clicking the Submit button on many occasions, and said to myself, "Self, don't go down that road."

We find great value a family-friendly tone. If Jamie's daughter or my grandson develop an interest, we can suggest they come here to learn, and we don't have to worry too much about what they see and hear.

We seek to avoid disagreeable conflict; there are certain topics that just don't get discussed. My educated guess at a rationale for this, is that those topics are likely to lead very quickly to unseemly conflict. That was all decided before I arrived here, but it seems to me a wise decision.

I have spent some time over the years as postmaster, list owner, newsmaster for some thousands of unruly academics. That experience informs the opinion I've just stated, but especially informs my heartfelt thanks to our owner, staff, and Mod Squad for providing the forum I find so informative, and so much fun.

Thanks to all the members, for making it so.