JG-TC.com > Opinion > LETTER: Bloggers hide behind anonymous speech

TODAY'S HEADLINES

SPECIAL SECTION

ONLINE POLL

ONLINE EXTRAS

SITE TOOLS

OTHER LINKS

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Lee Enterprises

Wednesday, April 9, 2008 10:16 PM CDT
LETTER: Bloggers hide behind anonymous speech

By RUTH LEIGH, Charleston

My last letter to the editor dealt with bloggers who felt they needed to write anonymously in order to further a more informed community dialogue. Anonymous blog comments responding to that letter, however, illustrate a danger that often lurks behind anonymous speech.

Two anonymous bloggers responded with comments indicating that they did not intend to understand my letter. One accomplished this goal with a one word dismissal, “What?” Another agreed, added, “that sounded like a bunch of verbal garbage,” then asked, “Is that coming straight out of the Coles County Courthouse?” Anyone concerned about raising the common level of respect for fellow citizens, the law, the legal process, and our local system of justice needs to know the identities of those bloggers.

One anonymous blogger, with apparent retribution in mind, wrote “Have the devil fire up his snow-blower.” Another responding blogger felt entitled to a personal and defamatory familiarity: “You just about covered everything, Ruthie. About the only thing you left out was global warming, that and toe tapping in public restrooms.” Another added to this, “I don’t think we covered Obama’s church or the governor of New York.” Anyone seeking to address the threats and false assumptions spawned by such commentary would benefit from the sunlight of open communication with these bloggers. All too often disrespect and deception cower under cover of anonymity.

Experience has shown that persistent and purposefully violative speech, especially when anonymous, does not disappear if everyone just ignores it. Such speech serves no socially healthy purpose as a safety valve for letting off steam. Undebated by vigilant and skillful responders willing to identify themselves openly, such speech creates a community momentum antagonistic to open civil dialogue free from vigilante threats.

Committed citizens must hone their sharp shooting skills to take aim at the threats that pulse beneath anonymous and malicious speech. Clear, published laws and sunshine policies that encourage open, participatory democracy, not anonymous vigilante justice, have always served as the primary resources of safety and security for all citizens in a democracy.

RUTH LEIGH

Charleston

Add your comments

*Member ID:
*Password:
Remember login? (requires cookies)
	Forgot Your Password?

Not already registered?
Then click Here.

Comment policy:

JG-TC.com encourages readers to engage in civil conversation with their neighbors. Comments that are submitted are not posted to the site immediately. They go into a queue to be moderated and may take several hours to be reviewed. Comments posted on Saturday may not be reviewed until Sunday afternoon.

In order to keep the page a set width, long lines (mostly long links) will be chopped. Try putting spaces in your links or consider using tinyurl.com to make a smaller link that you can include.

We will never edit or alter your comments, but we do reserve the right to remove comments that violate our code of conduct.

No comment may contain:

* Potentially libelous statements; such as accusing somebody of a crime, defamation of character, or statements that can harm somebody's reputation.
* Obscene, explicit, or racist language.
* Personal attacks, insults, threats, harassment or inciting violence.
* Commercial product promotions.

If you have any questions, please contact our moderator.

VTucker wrote on Apr 9, 2008 11:08 PM:

" Ms. Leigh, I've been hanging out in these forums for a long time, so I'm familiar with a lot of what's posted here. I fail to see the danger that you're referring to (the "danger that often lurks behind anonymous speech"). Sure, there is plenty of rude and abusive language going back and forth--but engaging in it is not required. Why not simply ignore comments you don't like rather than take them personally or feel threatened by them?

If someone actually threatened another person, I believe there are ways for law enforcement to track the offending individual down. Otherwise, you are dealing with free speech issues. I certainly do not feel I need to know the identities of anonymous bloggers, even the ones who have occasionally said things I didn't like.

Besides, the line between what I consider defamatory and what I simply do not like is apt to be fuzzy. People have the right to decide not to understand your letter, and they have the right to express their opinions about it (legitimate or not). Perhaps you are taking it all too seriously. In short, respond to comments that interest you and disregard the rest. "

Locke wrote on Apr 9, 2008 11:56 PM:

" Threats of violence and malicious speech are in clear violation the policies of this service -- be they from anonymous posters or persons who use their name. Also, let us remember Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Paine, James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, John Jay and Alexander Hamilton all wrote, at times, anonymously. Frustrating as it might be, especially when the rhetoric outweighs any substantive comments, there is a time honored tradition of anonymous speech in American history. "

ed miller wrote on Apr 10, 2008 12:29 AM:

" Many of the anonymous bloggers here are cowards who resort to name-calling and personal attacks because they can't come up with anything better to defend their positions. Just ignore them. "

Early Bird wrote on Apr 10, 2008 6:22 AM:

" Good grief, Ruth. People were merely having a little fun at your expense, because you attempted to cover everything under the sun with one letter. I fail to see how any of this is dangerous, and if you really thought it was, you should have did a better job of explaining that danger. It sounded more like sour grapes over the negative response your letter recieved. And as far as using anonymity, how do you really know that people who use real sounding names are really that person. Case in point: one original blogger who uses real sounding names changes his name every few months or so. Ruth, I would remind you of that old saying about taking heat and the kitchen...and for ed miller, would you agree that the name calling comes from both sides, or are you saving your criticism for those that disagree with your positions? "

Illinoisbound wrote on Apr 10, 2008 7:09 AM:

" Ruth,
I so agree with your point. What it causes to happen is people that don't hide behind the curtain just quit writing. They KNOW they will be attacked by the chosen few who make this their little attack club. I wrote the owners of the paper...u might try that. This is written to RUTH, so the attack dogs can save their key strokes...I won't be responding to any others. "

Why Not wrote on Apr 10, 2008 8:03 AM:

" Well, I prefer to go by my anonymous name because I prefer it over my given name from my mother...I Am Late...it has just never been a name I enjoyed. "

Rotty wrote on Apr 10, 2008 8:15 AM:

" Oh Brother, give us a break!
Someone call the Whambulance, I think Mrs./Ms. Leigh broke a nail, or had her feelings hurt.
If you take any part of these comment boards that seriously, you have some major issues.
Loosen up, relax, enjoy some, & discard the rest!
May I suggest, that next time, you keep a box of tissues nearby, so you won't short out your keyboard.
LOL!
Wow, some people are just plain amazing! "

krusayda wrote on Apr 10, 2008 9:12 AM:

" Would you like some cheese with that whine? "

justmyopinion wrote on Apr 10, 2008 9:59 AM:

" I'm sorry, but this is a ridiculous letter. With all the problems we have in today's society, how is this important enough to even make the newspaper? Our world is falling apart. The economy is in the toilet, people cannot pay their bills, cannot afford to buy the gas needed to get to their jobs to pay the bills, drug use and alcoholism are at all time highs - etc. etc. etc. I fail to see how worrying about anonymous bloggers and their motives is important. Ruth needs to get a life and start worrying about something that's really important - before she needs therapy (if she isn't in it already). "

Bryant Lamphier wrote on Apr 10, 2008 10:01 AM:

" Yep- my real name.

Nope- don't care if you like my views.

Yawn'- don't care if you like me personally.

Yes- I have thick skin.

And Oh Yeah- I love to return fire.

Now then-

Countdown to SpeedBump-bob's dim-witted reply in-

4.....3.....2.....1........... "

Billie Brant wrote on Apr 10, 2008 10:20 AM:

" Ruth, What you fail to understand is some bloggers feel the need to keep their identities under wraps because of their employment situations. Remember all the flack concerning issues with SBLHC awhile back? Perhaps employees who posted comments under a "handle" felt they had to for their job security. Regardless of the reason, it's a matter of choice to post under any name we choose. Get over it.:-).......... Hey Rotty, I keep my nails trimmed fairly short so I don't have that dreaded broken nail syndrome! Lol! "

The Question wrote on Apr 10, 2008 10:26 AM:

" "Ruth,
I so agree with your point."
----
Writes "Illinoisbound," anonymously. Perhaps you should change your screen name to "Hypocrisy Bound." LOL.
I agree with Rotty and Bird. Will you have some cheese to go with that whine, you big babies?
I have found that behind many lofty-sounding objections to anonymous posting lies a simple truth — a lot of people don't like hearing honest, unpopular, pull-no-punches opinions expressed, and are groping for a way to silence them. "

Billie Brant wrote on Apr 10, 2008 10:41 AM:

" To Tom Andres- Just to let you know Tom, I found two teeny, tiny black morel mushrooms yesterday. They were about as big around as my little finger and about as tall as the finger up to the first joint. They tried to hide from me, but it didn't work! Lol! The locations however where I find all the delicious varities of this wonderful, sometimes elusive fungus , shall remain ANONYMOUS! LOL! "

Tom Andres wrote on Apr 10, 2008 10:41 AM:

" Ms. Leigh, I appreciate some of what you're saying. Sounds like you're probably more comfortable only with ‘attributable’ commentary. In some ways, the drivel on here is akin to public graffiti, and serves a similar purpose. However, you have to remember anonymity can serve a purpose in fostering positive changes in public opinion or perception, especially on political issues. Benjamin Franklin penned many such commentaries in his day under several pseudonyms. In too many instances though, the difference between Franklin’s efforts in this regard and today’s posters on here would best be described as a ‘contrast’ – not a ‘comparison’ as I’m sure some would (anonymously) prefer to claim. The main contrast being one of ‘class’. "

just wondering wrote on Apr 10, 2008 10:54 AM:

" Miss Leigh, the thing you have to remember is that the two biggest uses of the internet are for pornography and to complain. "

Tom Andres wrote on Apr 10, 2008 12:00 PM:

" Billie, now THAT was a funny one! I promise, if you post another note telling me where they are, I won't tell a soul. I was beginning to think we weren't going to have any this year. Can they grow under water? "

HisChild wrote on Apr 10, 2008 12:33 PM:

" (((((((Ruth))))))) *squish*
Just giving you a great big hug!
People are not as bad as you make them out to be. There are some weirdos, but mostly we are your regular law abiding citizens who sometimes are unhappy about others' who are not law-abiding. God bless you! :-) "

Becky wrote on Apr 10, 2008 12:55 PM:

" Between this letter and some of the comments here, I now have to clean the tea off of my monitor :) Thanks for the chuckles today folks! "

Rotty wrote on Apr 10, 2008 1:14 PM:

" LOL @ Billie! ;)
Good to hear, my friend.
Also, glad to see you're hanging in there, & staying in touch. :-)

.......

Very well said, Question! "

Billie Brant wrote on Apr 10, 2008 1:20 PM:

" Tom- More rain, more s'hrooms! Now, if the temperature will stay around 70 degrees they will be very abundant in my ANONYMOUS patches! A nice shower once or twice a week from here on out will be appreciated! I have better luck with a cool( not cold) wet spring than a hot dry one! The only problem with a lot of rain is the hillsides get slippery and I take the precaution of sliding down them on my kiester to keep from falling down! Lol! I could tell you where they are, but you know..... Does the use of the words "wild goose" mean anything to you? Lol!... Becky- be careful and drink only iced tea today. We wouldn't want you to get scalded with the hot stuff! :-) "

Jon Vanatta wrote on Apr 10, 2008 1:24 PM:

" TQ, Yes you should bring up "hypocrisy" what is more hypocritical than pretending to be someone you really aren't. "

HisChild wrote on Apr 10, 2008 1:46 PM:

" Just wondering....there is pornography on the internet??? *shocked!*
Perhaps THAT is why some of my friends have said that it is a sin to be on the internet??? "

HisChild wrote on Apr 10, 2008 1:48 PM:

" To those friends...you know whom you are.... If you are reading this, then you are on the internet...so while you are praying for my soul, remember to pray for your own as well! God Bless You! "

The Question wrote on Apr 10, 2008 1:59 PM:

" TQ, Yes you should bring up "hypocrisy" what is more hypocritical than pretending to be someone you really aren't. "
----
And who would that be? I yam what I yam, JV. "

Bryant Lamphier wrote on Apr 10, 2008 2:33 PM:

" The Question wrote on Apr 10, 2008 11:35 AM:
"When Senator John McCain was asked here this afternoon how he plans to balance the budget, he said that he hoped to do so by stimulating economic growth - and approvingly cited the example of President Ronald Reagan," the New York Times reports.
Of course, if McBush were to cut the deficit "like Reagan," he would in fact TRIPLE IT with tax cuts for the wealthy and bloated spending on the military-industrial complex. "

--------------------------------------

father bob wrote on Apr 10, 2008 11:44 AM:
" McCain: I'll Cut The Deficit Like Reagan ...(Reagan Tripled The Deficit) "

---------------------------------------

LOL!!! Looks like someone forgot what name he was currently posting under!

Well, hello there-

ThefatherbobQuestion- LOL! "

Tom Andres wrote on Apr 10, 2008 2:44 PM:

" Billie, before I lived here on the prairie, I had a neighbor who had a particularly steep lawn (about 45 degrees in places). He started wearing his golf shoes when he mowed, after a pretty scary incident when he slipped and fell. He escaped with only a sliced up shoe - and a scratch on the sole of his foot. // So, TQ (or Yam if you prefer), do you think you're a sweet potato from the south or that Levantine deity guy? "

Bryant Lamphier wrote on Apr 10, 2008 3:37 PM:

" "So, TQ (or Yam if you prefer), do you think you're a sweet potato from the south or that Levantine deity guy?"

-------------

LOL!!! (wipes tears of laughter from eyes)
"

Late Bird wrote on Apr 10, 2008 5:01 PM:

" The Question wrote on Apr 10, 2008 1:59 PM:
" TQ, Yes you should bring up "hypocrisy" what is more hypocritical than pretending to be someone you really aren't. "
----
And who would that be? I yam what I yam, JV. "

That's really interesting Popeye!! "

Harry Potter wrote on Apr 10, 2008 5:13 PM:

" Look out folks, Grannies back. We're all in for it now. LOL "

tammer65 wrote on Apr 10, 2008 7:27 PM:

" HP, it would be a grave injustice not to notice her return. "

Locke wrote on Apr 10, 2008 7:34 PM:

" Indeed, here only posters who use their real name have class -- or posters who's political and social outlook matches those of certain mushroom hunters. Opinions are like armpits... everyone has one. "

Billie Brant wrote on Apr 10, 2008 7:42 PM:

" Ouch Locke! LOL! Better try some underarm deodorant on your pits! Lol! "

Bryant Lamphier wrote on Apr 10, 2008 7:54 PM:

" "Opinions are like armpits... everyone has one."

-----------------

Actually Locke- everybody has two armpits. "

Harry Potter wrote on Apr 10, 2008 8:02 PM:

" Come on Bryant L, it's bad enough you hog the political threads, can't you leave this one alone? At least you didn't bother to blab on about how great the Iraq war is going. LOL.... Hey, are you Granny too? "

Bryant Lamphier wrote on Apr 10, 2008 8:18 PM:

" "Come on Bryant L, it's bad enough you hog the political threads, can't you leave this one alone?"

-----------------

Golly Harry-

You didn't seem to have a problem with Question hogging the political threads-

now did you.

-----------------

"Hey, are you Granny too?"

----------------

No more so than you-

are tammer65 and dohbaugh. LOL!!!

"

what? wrote on Apr 10, 2008 9:12 PM:

" I don't know whos who, but their on first, because what's on second where's on third. "

HisChild wrote on Apr 10, 2008 9:47 PM:

" *LOL!* Why? "

Harry Potter wrote on Apr 11, 2008 7:55 AM:

" Hey tammer65 and Dohbaugh, old Doh thinks you guys are me now. I hope you're not too insulted. LOL, and speaking of Dohbaugh, where is he at? I guess he got tired of all of this and is taking a bit of a break. "

Bryant Lamphier wrote on Apr 11, 2008 8:22 AM:

" "and speaking of Dohbaugh, where is he at? I guess he got tired of all of this and is taking a bit of a break."

----------

Yeah- Harry......he's taking a "break".......

that's it.... yeah...sure.....

LOL!! "

Billie Brant wrote on Apr 11, 2008 9:56 AM:

" HP- Dohbaugh may be taking a break as you suggested and be sitting back watching all the silliness and "saving up" for when he comes back. Sometimes we need to take some time off and recharge our batteries. Sometimes I set my charger on "trickle" instead of "crank"! Lol! "

Mattooner at Heart wrote on Apr 11, 2008 10:16 AM:

" I choose to “hide” behind a pseudonym because when I first got on here, I was responding to some serious problems in city government – in *my* home town. I wanted people to know that although I left my hometown many years ago, I’ll always be a resident in my heart. Mattoon is home and I LOVE it. If my wife wouldn’t divorce me if I moved back, I’d seriously consider it!

If someone *really* wants to know who I am - I'd tell them - *my* way. I got nothin' to hide.

Anyway, Harry S. Truman once had a quote about somebody jumping into the middle of this internet posting fray and telling the people who have been doing this for quite some time to stop. Heck, me and my friends were here first. If you can’t stand the heat . . .
"

Tom Andres wrote on Apr 11, 2008 12:07 PM:

" Hey wait a minute here, Mattooner at Heart, you're saying "The buck stops here." guy posted on the internet? So, when exactly did Gore invent the thing anyway, or was that Al Gore Senior? Just kidding.
"

coonbug wrote on Apr 11, 2008 2:50 PM:

" The one main problem with anonymous blogging is, unless you are a computer genius, it is next to impossible to stop an abuser, liar, name caller, racist, sexist, etc..

I am Connie Manes and I "approve" this message!

** Please send money donations to my address ** "

Aj13721 wrote on Apr 11, 2008 6:21 PM:

" i agree with coonbug "

Rotty wrote on Apr 11, 2008 7:11 PM:

" Coonbug, give this a whirl sometime.
I think you'll be more satisfied.
http://tinyurl.com/ysba2k
:-) "

Interested Observer wrote on Apr 11, 2008 8:19 PM:

" I can't speak to anyone else's reason for using a pseudonym, but mine is quite simple: I'm in business, and some people would boycott my business, simply because of my opinions. That said, I try to be respectful and do not libel anyone here, be they the subject of a LTTE/column or another poster. One can be both anonymous AND civil; the two are not mutually exclusive. "

doughball wrote on Apr 11, 2008 8:19 PM:

" i agree with coonbug too. but i'm not giving her any money ;) "

HisChild wrote on Apr 11, 2008 8:53 PM:

" Yippee!! Dohbaugh is backeth!!! Or did somebody else take the name I called him? "

Harry Potter wrote on Apr 11, 2008 9:20 PM:

" Wow, coonbug, you described old McNasty and he just popped up. Kind of like rubbing a lamp, huh? At least he can't use his foul mouth on this site. LOL "

Harry Potter wrote on Apr 11, 2008 9:38 PM:

" Actually the real killer on The Fugitive only had one armpit. Can't you ever get anything right? "

Rotty wrote on Apr 12, 2008 12:17 AM:

" HisChild, Dohbaugh & doughball are 2 different posters. "

Bryant Lamphier wrote on Apr 12, 2008 12:37 AM:

" "Actually the real killer on The Fugitive only had one armpit. Can't you ever get anything right?"

---------

sigh*-

I see you're still doing cocaine night-caps with a whiskey chaser-

huh- Harry P. tsk...tsk..

sad really......... "

HisChild wrote on Apr 12, 2008 10:35 AM:

" Hi Rotty! :-)
How do you knoweth?
From the first time I saw Dohbough, I called him Doughball, so if that is a different poster, shame on them! :-) "

Harry Potter wrote on Apr 12, 2008 10:47 AM:

" Hey Rotty, don't tell Doh that, he thinks were all just one person on here. Paranoia does funny things to people like him. LOL.. And for ed miller, shame on you for calling Bryant out for his ongoing name calling habits. I thought you two were on the same side. And ed, stayed tuned for a Bush Moment in History report later today. I'll try to get it on here for you this afternoon. I know you Bush apologists love them, so I'll do my best to get it to you as soon as I can. "

Harry Potter wrote on Apr 12, 2008 3:24 PM:

" From the first time I saw Dohbaugh....? That must be some monitor you have. LOL "

Rotty wrote on Apr 12, 2008 4:00 PM:

" Hiya, HisChild! :-)
lol
I "knoweth" because both gentlemen's view points are from opposite sides of the political spectrum.
Kicketh back & watcheth whenever Dohbaugh returns, you'll then see whateth I'm talking about.
LOL! :-D

.......

LOL @ Harry P.
"

Rotty wrote on Apr 12, 2008 4:10 PM:

" Also, HisChild....
It's a long story that would take too much time to tell, since you came aboard & started posting, about the Doh, Dohbaugh, & doughball, etc., story.
Trust me when I say it started a few years back & it's just too long of a story to go into.
Just observe & learn as we go.
LOL :-)
"

Bryant Lamphier wrote on Apr 12, 2008 7:48 PM:

" "so I'll do my best to get it to you as soon as I can."

-----------

What's wrong Harry P-

tying on another bender?

tsk,tsk,tsk..... "

Harry Potter wrote on Apr 13, 2008 8:25 PM:

" I would never let you down, Bryant Liar, check out the Cheney comments on another thread from early this afternoon. Did you miss that one, I'm disappointed because I especially dedicated that one to you, or is this just another one of your big lies? As I know how much you appreciate my Bush Moments, I promise to do my best to get one to you daily. Although I can't promise to dedicate each of them to you, I need to spread that honor around a little bit, but don't worry, there are so few Bush fans on here, so you should get plenty of dedications all to yourself. "

Bryant Lamphier wrote on Apr 13, 2008 9:12 PM:

" "check out the Cheney comments on another thread from early this afternoon."

-----------

yawn*

have another drink- Harry Pooper...... "

Harry Potter wrote on Apr 15, 2008 7:21 AM:

" Hey, I'm all out, could you send over some of that 20 year old stuff, Doh? "

Bryant Lamphier wrote on Apr 15, 2008 12:09 PM:

" "Hey, I'm all out, could you send over some of that 20 year old stuff, Doh?"

---------

We can only pray that you are talking about alcohol- Harry Pooper....

...shudder*........! "

Harry Potter wrote on Apr 15, 2008 4:47 PM:

" Sorry, Bryant Liar, but I put a Bush Moment in History on here this AM, but for some reason it didn't show up. I'll try again tomorrow. I know how much you enjoy them. "

Harry Potter wrote on Apr 16, 2008 6:42 AM:

" Now here's some good stuff you won't hear about from Fox news, or from any of the right wing outlets.

It seems the John Mccain campaign page had to do a little revision when it was discovered that Cindy's recipe listings were ripped off from the Food Network. Upon discovery of this by a sharp reporter, the campaign quickly removed the recipes in question and immediately tried to place the blame on a low level employee, Yeah, right John, nice try.

It seems that Cindy has a bit of a problem stealing things. First she has an affair with a married man, then steals him from his first wife. Then she steals prescription drugs from a medical charity she supposedly runs. And now we find she steals recipes from the Food Network. Boy, she sure would make a swell first lady. Perhaps she would make a good spokesperson for Crime Prevention Week.

I would remind anyone offended by this message that Obama's wife's actions and words weren't off limits, so I suppose Cindy's sticky finger issues should be fair game too. "

Harry Potter wrote on Apr 16, 2008 7:05 AM:

" On April 13, 2004, Bush held only his third press conference up to this point in his presidency. When asked what the biggest mistake he's ever made was, Bush decided he hadn't made any. "I'm sure something will pop into my head here in the midst of this press conference, with all the pressure of trying to come up with an answer, but it hadn't (sic) yet," Bush answered. "I just haven't- you just put me under the spot here and maybe I'm not quick-as quick on my feet as I should be coming up with one."

Well, no kidding...

Additional note: these are Bush's words, verbatim. "

father bob wrote on Apr 16, 2008 4:32 PM:

" """I just haven't- you just put me under the spot here and maybe I'm not quick-as quick on my feet as I should be coming up with one."""

exactly why he's only had 3 press conferences since he's take office. his handlers know the press will eat him up and spit him out....they know he's an idiot and easy game, and why he reads everything off of note cards written in crayon. "

Harry Potter wrote on Apr 18, 2008 7:08 AM:

" On this day in History, our glorious president said the following:

I'm the decider, and I decide what is best. And what's best is for Don Rumsfeld to remain as the secretary of defense.

He then went on to day, "heck of a job Donnie, and by the way, your fired."

And additional comment was, "I'm going to spend a lot of time on Social Security, I enjoy it. I enjoy taking on the issue. I guess it's the mother in me."

There were reports that mommy Barbara wasn't too happy about that one.

This Bush moment in history is dedicated to Tommy A. "

The Question wrote on Apr 18, 2008 3:23 PM:

" And here's the stupid little chimp's gem from this week.
"So long as I'm the president, my measure of success is victory - and success,'' the president said in the Rose Garden.
Worst. President. Ever. "

hanrobec wrote on Apr 18, 2008 6:00 PM:

" Becky: You are so funny and seem to be quite intelligent. I love the comment about the tea. In real life, I bet we'd be friends. "