Pete,

What I was trying to convey was that well stated criticism is welcome and necessary. When stated in a mean-spirited manner it becomes a personal attack, actually causing the criticism of the work to carry less weight.

By the way, Rene's knee-jerk reaction should have been withheld until he'd had time to cool off. The times I mentioned that my foot was in my mouth were caused by knee-jerk reactions. I certainly haven't "arrived," but I have tried to wait for a little while before responding to subjects that tend to get emotional.

Kerry