Hi Diane,

Thanks for your comments.

To All,

I'd like you to know that Dyan and I have kissed and made up. Our misunderstanding was just that, and Diane has hit the nail on the head in identifying the root of it.

Dyan presented someone else's theory, but nowhere in her post indicated whether or not she believed it. Usually people ascribe to the ideas they post, so I questioned her intentions. I thought I had left a margin for error (mine), but obviously that margin wasn't wide enough.

My "blow it" was in not asking Dyan to clarify her own position before I responded to her post. For that I take full responsibility, and have apologized, both on this board and privately. Dyan very warmly accepted my apology.

Forgive me, but this guy's theory hit a hot button with me. My sons are home grown, but my daughters are from Vietnam and India. Two more loving, bright, delightful children you will never meet. My husband and I love them with everything we have, but at the same time we fear for the prejudice they are bound to encounter in this country, especially in today's climate.

Dyan *very* graciously accepted my apology, then went so far as to offer one of her own, though it was unnecessary. Still, it brought us both to a place of understanding. It takes a loving spirit to forgive, and Dyan certainly has one. Thank you, Dyan.

And thank you, Diane, for understanding how my misinterpretation of Dyan's post could happen.

I am not a troublemaker, and I consider myself very tolerant of others' beliefs——as long as those belief's aren't actively or passively hurting anybody. This guy's theory, I find potentially dangerous; at best I find it interesting.

Albeit, this has nothing to do with earthquakes or volcanoes, but I didn't start this thread and many people post things here that are off topic.

I'd like to think that when misunderstandings happen (as they are bound to in cyberspace where tone often gets misread) that we can work them out fairly and decently on our own——and that when someone overreacts (as I did), an apology can be met with kindness and forgiveness, as mine was met by Dyan.

So I'm sorry if the forcefulness of my post offended any of you; if asked, I will leave this board, though I will be sad to go.

In any event, please believe me when I tell you I was only standing up for what I believed to be a (perceived) injustice. It's what I hope any of us would do.

Cathryn