It's okay Steve. ;)
I was just afraid of this and other threads going the way some threads did eventually end up because we would sometimes lose all track of the topic, and some really nasty behavior ensued from most everyone involved... So no need to apologize for everyone else since I've been guilty in the past of doing the same previously, and all I'm saying is that now we're in a new year and we all should turn a new leaf in respecting each other a bit more by staying on topic and if we need to get things off our chests, or disagree with another, we can use other options as opposed to what some folks call "hijacking" the thread all together into a totally different topic which really doesn't even belong in these sections to discuss... After all Ross and John Wright are doing their level best to keep this forum, the best it can possibly be along with most, if not all of the other participants as well.
Now I don't know if you know about the personal message system in this forum, but that is one of the two options in which one can communicate to another poster without going off topic in the thread itself because one is communicating with the other apart from the thread, or one can also go to the Off Topic Bar & Grill section to discuss, debate, or even argue whatever it is one feels like getting off their chests so to speak. :) :) :)
Go to the section named Posts about the Forum and look for the thread where it is written: "Please sign here for the Off Topic Bar & Grill" and ask Ross to be included then you should be good to go! :)
I do feel it is my duty to warn you however, that the OTB&G can get rather rowdy at times so go in at your own risk!!! :) :) :)
BTW,
"WELDCOME TO THE WORLD'S GREATEST WELDING FORUM!!! :) :) :)"Respectfully,
Henry