here, I managed to find my response to you after diligent searches through teh musty archives.

"Joseph,

Guess I should've prefaced my comments with, "MBlover,...". It will then perhaps make sense that he and I were in playful conversation and that my response had nothing whatsoever to do with your posting.

If you want facts or opinions about what the demonstration numbers actually mean, I haven't a clue.

B"

Note especially the first paragraph. Perhaps if I explain it will help: My note was to MBlover and it was an attempt at displaying my sardonic wit on a recent political event. Though I assume MBlover understood it as humor and not a serious analysis, plainly you did not.

Perhaps other people were as astonished, mystified, excited, and confused as you were. I hope not, but I guess that's the risk one takes when trying to use a difficult form of humor in a print medium--some people are just plain going to miss the point, my bad. I do not presume to be a professional essayist so the chances are that I will fail to make myself clearly understood at every juncture.

I hope this helps you with your careful analysis.

Botnst