Sort of good news - long

[Ron Wood]

Dear highly respected and more than a little â??steamedâ?? Tac,

Sometimes oneâ??s viewpoint is not clearly understood, because the listener does not share the same point from which to view. Misinterpretation of words is not uncommon when reading because the tone and inflection of the â??speakerâ?� is not conveyed in the written word. Taken in the context which you have so clearly, and sadly, outlined in your last post, your former statement of â??â?¦we have NEVER been able to own fully-automatic weapons of any kind here in UK - there is simply no justification for ownership - we don't have that kind of culture and never didâ?� is totally without rancor or insult. However, I hope that you can also see that â??â?¦there is simply no justification for ownership - we don't have that kind of culture and never didâ?� can be considered to sound a bit like a putdown to folks that are constantly on the defensive (and may tend to over react) against city-dwelling liberals who make similar comments and put gun ownership and shooting on a par with the most base criminal activity.

Your comments and insights on the forum are very much enjoyed and I hope that you are not really considering departing over this misunderstanding. I am not above resorting to blackmail to get you to stay. If you leave, I swear I will draw a handlebar mustache on Ig and circulate the rumor that he was the star of several films made in Tijuana. Surely you wish to spare him this â??igâ??nominy.