Eduard,
Your apology rings a bit hollow because it follows a lengthy argument in  
which you claim that you did nothing for which to apologize!
 
Instead of arguing point by point, you might find it more beneficial  to read 
over what you've written and try to understand how people--not just  
Johanna--might feel offended by what you said.
 
It's fine to express opinions, but asserting opinions as facts which  reflect 
negatively on others in the conversation (such as linguists and  Americans) 
can only create problems. The result is that people are not able  to understand 
your points because they cannot get past the  perceived insults.
 
I've enjoyed some of your contributions to the list, but I don't really  
understand your disdain at all.  And we should not confuse 'passion'  with 'anger'.
 
Deborah Tannen has an interesting book called (I think) THE ARGUMENT  CULTURE 
which might be worth talking about.
 
Linda DiDesidero

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