Disclaimer two. Sometimes I react spitefully to e-mail out of a sense of disappointment caused by the fact that the "You have new mail" message at the bottom of my screen enticed me into thinking that I had word from someone I had really hoped to hear from, when in fact it was just you. I have been known to capriciously delete e-mail because it wasn't from someone I really missed or was frantically concerned about. Normally this is a fate reserved for especially insulting or patronizing e-mail sent in the spirit of proselytizing me. I invite letters, commentary, debate, complaints, praise, questions and solicitations of advice in fields for which I have wildly varying expertise. However, I implore you to honestly ask yourself, "If Rob is having a bad day or he's really lonely or he's recovering from traumatizing heartache involving a close friend, will he care what I think about his thoughts on religion?" Having asked and answered this, choose your words and articulate your thoughts carefully.

Disclaimer three. Never, ever ask me to keep an open mind about anything. I think of it as the final tactic of someone who can't think of anything else to say to me on a subject of heated debate. If I didn't have an open mind, I would just kill you.