I have been pondering a response to your card, my options were: defend Rush; defend myself; attack your card; etc.

I have chosen to celebrate.

Rush can defend himself. I have never been a good missionary and I am not bent on converting anyone to Rush.

Maybe this is another age thing but I have always tried very hard not to muddy the waters, to go along with everyone. I questioned whether or not this was lying, but I decided I if I could see the other person's point of view I wasn't lying if I let them think I agreed with them. This wasn't an effort to manipulate for reasons of financial gain, etc. but to stay away from CONFRONTATION.

As a result I didn't know how I felt on things. Slowly I have begun to know how I feel and that it's OK to have an opinion.

Anyway, Archipelago has been somewhat hard because it is easy to type how I feel to a monitor but then the confrontation comes months later when I've forgotten ever making a statement.

I celebrate being my conservative self among liberal friends who mean a hell of a lot to me.

Please, I don't care if you like Rush, but I want you to know I don't always agree with him either.