OK, that's a start. I do first want it on record that I have not laughed at anyone in this thread, unless they were making a joke. Certainly not you or any of the other posters you reference. I genuinely wanted to know who were the people that you really have problems with. That being said, it sounds more like you are upset with certain people who act in a cliquish manner when their friends are being questioned, than suggesting there is an actual faction of people who actively seek to exclude others. I have seen people defend their friends on this board without any personal knowledge of the situation being discussed, so I understand your point of view. I do not really get the connection between Charles Kaplan's post on Joe Pavlik and the Culotta discussion. If he participated in it and defended the choice, I get it. If he didn't it, I find it a huge stretch to suggest anything about what he believes about that choice. I have tons of opinions I don't express on this board. In fact, I generally try to stay out of most frays. In this case, I just had enough of hearing about the nefarious "Clique" again without any discussion of who the clique is, or what they do that offends. I have been reading about this clique (infrequently, but on occasion) for more than a decade. I have asked this question, who is in this clique, before, without any response at all. I believe you have answered both of those questions, at least from your point of view.

Thank you.

Michael Siskin