Here is a FAQ to reading DT's messages. I have kept it for private
use, but since some people (sillly idiots!) sometimes can feel hurt by
what he writes, I thought it could prove to be a useful tool. It is
up-to-date, but changings occur with practically every new posting, so
be alert!
Of course, when the FAQ mentions "DT", it is the synonym of the author
of DT's messages. In theory, this DT can be a different persona in
every message, defending a different view or opinion, although in
practice the number of personas and views is extremely limited.

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***About views/opinions DT defends

Dan:
<<Everything one needs to know about DT or anyone here is embodied in
their postings. This too is real life.>>

DT
<<Just the opposite. Especially when anyone confuses anything I post
with me. I
purposely pick views, some I like, some I dislike, and most to which I
am
neutral, and I defend them strongly.>>

=> Note: the postings of DT do not reflect his views/opinions. He
could as well have posted the opposite views/opinions (which BTW never
happens in practice).

***About the reason for his posting views/opinions (which aren't his
own)

DT
<<Maybe when //I// get sick of talking to dense, brick walls, I find
punching holes through them to be a much more amusing pastime.

Or maybe //I// write intelligent and sober posts only when //I// tire
of
satire and humour. Ever think of that? I like both Kammady and
Dhrama.>>

=> Note: the //I// in question is of course the entity that picks and
defends views randomly, without having any connection with them. The
author of DT's messages of course doesn't "get sick", but only the
persona whose views DT defends at that moment.

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

***Anything DT writes in his postings is not about himself. What you
read into his messages is nothing else than your own projections.

DT
<<Anything you make up about me is almost
100% wrong. Almost every evaluation about other posters is really 100%
about
ourselves. You can't know anything about me, except that I read a lot.
When my posts are written by others, or are news articles paraphrased,
the most foolish
of the lot make all sorts of accusations toward me. They aren't even
toward the
people I quote. They are only about themselves.

We can only know others' total ignorance if and when they claim that
they can
know us or read our minds.>>

DT
<<I can't make anyone angry. Rather, when people get angry, it is
easier for them to claim that I made them angry than to own up to
their own choices. Ya think Thich Nhat Hahn would call me that? Like,
I don't think so.>>

And don't forget, I tend to try to mirror the other's tone.

Therefore...
If you smile at your mirror instead of growling, what happens >>

DT
<<If someone else tries to mess with my personal life, then I am going
to go bananas with theirs. It's a matter of honor. However, I always
try my best to attack the issue and never the person whenever
possible, throwing in bozo comments for fun. Nobody ever is forced to
read my posts.>>

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*Background information/references needed to interpret DT's messages

DT
<<For you clueless foreigners, Joey, that's an inside American joke,
from SNL
(Saturday Night Live) where every week, Dan Akroyd and Jane Curtain
would have a
mock debate called "Point/Counterpoint" where they would hurl insults,
must as
Jan was doing with Evelyn.

That was my alltime favorite "Point/Counterpoint" skit.
I use the skit as a model to base my internet posts, of course.>>

DT
<<I get to be Rambo, Captain Kirk, Captain Sheridan, or Andy Kaufman.
And I can discuss real issues and learn from others and get to know
new perspectives. If others don't like to play that way, they don't
have to play with me.>>

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*What does it mean when DT wishes bad things to happen to you and your
family?

DT
Example: <<It's too bad that I can't choose your family to die by
terrorists, or to be
the unfortunate victims of this war. If I could, I would do so.>> (DT
to Bud)

DT
<<That was sarcasm. I wouldn't seriously wish anyone to die.
Also, that was in response to your saying...>>