Bill:

>People may think I'm being overly sensitive

Yes, I do. The comments made in this group were tame compared to
the kind of reception you'd likely get at, say, Birder's Night in Portland.

>I like to end this on a positive note...

>If anybody has any comments to make, or any bones to pick, please post me
>directly. I am not looking to propagate this thread any further.

In my long experience on the net, I have never seen the "Let me get
in the last word in public, further discussion should be private"
tactic work.

If you want this discussion to be private, then you should make your
comments privately. Making a multi-page public statement protesting
what you believe to be poor manners is inconsistent with the claim
that you're not looking to propagate this thread any further.

Actually, you're not propagating a thread - you've just started a
new thread!
- Don Baccus, Portland OR <donb at rational.com>