sidewalk astro - I didn't mean to start a flame war

Hi, folks. Sorta disheartening that Starlord's inspiration in the
freezing sidewalks of Rosamond, working through me in the equally
frigid schoolyard of Lancaster High, has caused a flame war among
people who I am sure are fundamentally peaceful.

I think we can all agree that chemistry, just like any field of study,
has been abused by those who consider profit the penultimate life goal.
We each have different points of view on the benefits and costs of
living in a post-hunter-gatherer society. Glad to listen to your
views, actually, since I often learn something new when I do.

However, I will also bet that each of us still share the "oh, wow"
moments several times a year, a month, or a day. That moment may be
alone, it may be with friends, or it may be with strangers.

I spent this weekend at the beach, 120 miles from home. Took the ETX
125 (since I knew that I'd be on the wrong side of a six-pack of Bud
Light and could never manage to push the dobbie correctly!) with me so
a few friends and even more total strangers could look up for what
might be the first time in their lives.

Then, I came home and saw the foolish argument my salute to Starlord
had engendered.

I'm saddened when we have flame wars here in our group. I have a
certain respect for all of you. I don't care if you're Democrat or
Republican, Liberal or Conservative, even American or Anyone-Else.

I'm not the best God-dy sort of fellow out there, but if there was ever
an example of "wherever two or more of you are gathered in His name,
there is Love," we're it when we look at the stars and then tell each
other about what we saw.

The newbie who breathlessly posts here as though Jupiter were a new
discovery or the most hardened SBIG owner are one when they send
messages to this forum.

I am saddened that some of you took up a sword that did not need to be
grasped. Those of you who hate chemistry, or those of you who are
devoted to it needn't waste time in ad hominem attacks.

We can reasonably discuss chemistry, physics, music, art, literature,
or any field upon which humans have devoted their short span of
consciousness. But we can do so as sisters and brothers behind a lens.


The prime focus makes us one. We needn't be cruel to each other
because we differ in our views. I don't care about any of your
political beliefs. I'll bet we'd shake hands after helping a 10-year
old find Andromeda in a 60-mm refractor.

Stop arguing. Treasure this forum. After all, the stars are probably
laughing at us, anyway.

Richard in the west end of the Antelope Valley, California