"JG" wrote...
Could it not also be that the proliferation of the various online forums
have replaced the ng's...

this is very true in a plethora of groups as there is an influx in recient
years of "kooks". too many people out there with too much time on their
hands, an axe to grind, a personal computer, and not enough education to
make them a positive contribution to any topic. with the exception of this
group, any serious discussions i partake in anymore are done via private
mailing lists or closed groups. at least in my fields. i recall a
discussion sometime back when a person proclaimed "mammals are not animals".
when the majority of these people feel they are right simply because they
proclaim it to be so, it is impossible to rationalize with them. there are
even those who believe the earth is only 6000 years old.

okay... i'm stepping off of my soapbox now.

tedd (waxing philisophically over a scotch)

--
A man said to the universe:
"Sir, I exist!"
"However," replied the universe,
"The fact has not created in me
A sense of obligation."