I decided to start this thread cos I think it's about time we had a positive one. Here you can post something about a person you admire on the forum. Only positive comments allowed here. Nothing sarcastic or negative please.

-- Oliver Fischer (spicenut@excite.com), June 14, 2004

Answers

I'll start by saying I admire Emily. She comes across to me as a very humble and polite person. Her conduct is one of a God-fearer and God-lover. I appreciate her posts on the forum. Thanks Emily for your contributions. 8-)

-- Oliver Fischer (spicenut@excite.com), June 14, 2004.

Hi, Olly

I don't know about the "warm fuzzies" :-)

I like everyone in forum. Some people get me mad some days, but a week later the same person can make me like them. God is so great!......

I would like to see John, Rod, and Mateo, and GT post more! They do seem like "good, kind, people." I agree with you about Emily too. Sonya seems like such a honest Lady.......................Gino is 'John Wayne' ;-)

I better stop now Olly! I am not going to type in 94 people. ;-)

Praise our Lord ! He made us all and makes the very air we breathe in our lungs.

May God help you with your exams.

-- - (David@excite.com), June 14, 2004.

Hi Olly,

I always find your posts very insightful and uplifting (this one is but another example). Emily is at the top of my list too. I've always seen her as a humble truthseeker. I need to add Paul M, Paul H, Bill, Gail, Vincent, Dano, Zarove, Rod, Eugene, Elpidio, and Ed. I've learned a lot from just watching these folks post. These are the mainliners, but there are many others, of course. One day I'll make a comprehensive list...

-- Andy S ("aszmere@earthlink.net"), June 14, 2004.

I can't forget MaryLu and Mark A. MaryLu always posts in charity and Mark A always gets to the point.

-- Andy S ("aszmere@earthlink.net"), June 14, 2004.

I admire Ed, the moderator. He has a very kind way about how he reprimands inappropriate comments. I appreciate that he displays his Christianity by tempering his comments.

Jennifer

-- Jennifer (jrabs@jrabs.com), June 15, 2004.

What a nice idea Oliver! Thankfully there are several people on the forum who display beautiful Christian characteristics. As several people have said Emily is a perfect example of this, and I also find Frank to display a Christian attitude, albeit with a 'wicked' sense of humour! I find Bill very smart with a deep knowledge of the Faith and Paul M also shows this to be the case.

May God bless you all!

-- Sara (sara_catholic_forum@yahoo.co.uk), June 15, 2004.

Thanks, Andy for your kind-hearted words. I feel the same way about you.

From the Catholics: You, Paul M, John Placette, Jim Furst, Rod, Paul H, Frank, Mateo,....have always shown me respect even if my beliefs contradict yours.

I have also learned from Eugene Chavez and the Man of many IPs John Gecik, though it has been tough, for over 2 years. To the point they employed 10% of their time responding to me, especially Eugene.

With Ed never had a discussion.

From the OLD Catholics: emerald and Jake.

From the Protestants: Dave, Zarove, and faith.

-- Elpidio Gonzalez (egonval@yahoo.com), June 15, 2004.

Great group of contributors here. We have a nice core group of good hearted, pius Protestants who stir things up and make life interesting. Responses by knowlegeable Catholics have helped me very much to understand the faith I was born into but have had a very wavering and rocky relationship with.

I tend to identify with the gentle Catholic approach to dealing with controversy, but miss contributions by John G who is not always subtle, (has taken me aback more than a few times) but whose answers are straight as an arrow. At the same time, I also miss some of the people I read when I first found this place. Jean Brouchard comes to mind. He was unpopular with many here, but I couldn't help liking him. I've always been impressed with Rod's wit, and Elpidio's knowlege of scripture especially apocryphal/gnostic writings. I admire John P's respect for ecumenism and his level headed open minded approach to dealing with those he doesn't necessarily agree with. And Thanks Oliver for the opportunity to say something nice about some of the people I've learned to respect over the past few years. I think we all agree about Paul M. and his ability to explain some of the most difficult Catholic teachings. THis has been a place rich with interesting and helpful people. I never would have thought I'd still be looking in, almost daily two years after accidentally finding this place. I could go on and on.

-- Jim (furst@flash.net), June 15, 2004.

Steve,

Do you know for sure that Ron, Jr. is an athiest? Where did you get your information from?

I listen to Michael Reagan's radio show every evening and he has returned to the show this week. Of course, this week is devoted to his father. Michael is a Christian, but don't know what kind of Christian. He always talks about Patti and Ron and says that he prays for them every day that they come to know the Lord. He did not say that they don't believe at all - so, I don't know. (at least not yet)

As for family values, children do suffer when their parents are involved in politics...that's all I will say on that. I do not have enough facts to post and am not going to post untruths about the Reagans. I think the family has been through enough. May the President rest in peace.

BTW, Michael is very truthful, honest and has nothing bad to say about his dad.

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.c om), June 15, 2004.

I saw Michael at the Rotonda ceremony. He saluted his step dad's coffin. Touching.

-- Joe (joestong@yahoo.com), June 16, 2004.

Brian will give me a look when he reads this, but I must add him to this list. I am so proud of his new found passion and knowledge for our faith. I have seen his answers to many of you and they surpass many in my humble opinion. There are a few here who I respect by their answers, but I would have to go back and look up their names. Sorry, I am very bad with names, but I do know Emily was one of them. So..hope dh doesn't roll his eyes at this on Saturday when he gets home if he gets a chance to log on. ;o)

God Bless,

Jalapeno

-- Jalapeno (jalapeno52000@hotmail.com), June 16, 2004.

Brian does seem like a very nice man. I always enjoy reading what he writes. May God bless him and keep him safe.

-- - (David@excite.com), June 17, 2004.

MaryLu and Joe, I think Oliver started this thread for positive comments about people in this forum , and to avoid the partisan political content which other threads are full of. And it was Bill, not I, who called Ron Jnr an atheist.

I appreciate those here especially Bill, Brian and Ed who remain charitable towards those they strongly disagree with.

-- Steve (55555@aol.com), June 17, 2004.

Hopeful, this will stay on top alot longer. Thanks, Oliver. I really liked that first post you made several weeks ago on your return, just wanted you to know. It had a lasting effect on me.

Andy, thanks so much for the mention :) I'm not sure I'm a mainliner yet as I have so much to learn but I need to say I have already learned alot from watching the same people, yourself, and others. You are a most kind and warm person to converse with Andy.

There are so many great people on this forum. Great debaters, great reservoirs of info, great men and women for others, and many combinations thereof. I'm adding Frank to the big "nice guy" list. Frank, you are a real MFO :) Recently, I haven't seen much of that wicked sense of humor that Sara mentions? Oh well, can't please everyone. I guess, it's not good being on the butt-end of jokes for anyone.

The great think-tanks, you know who you are, I admire your intelligence all of you. All the forums I have visited would envy this one for having such a pool of talent. Though you see many differences, I really don't. You are Catholic and you are Christian! I love you all :)

God Bless you, each and every one!

-- Vincent (love@noemail.net), June 18, 2004.

This is a great thread. I concur with all of the nice things said about all of the posters above. This may go over like a fart in church but I would like to give a nod to one of my favorite sports, baseball, by creating a forum all-star team (2004 season):

Pitcher--Steady barrage of fastballs, some curves, occasionally wild..............................................eugene

Catcher--Catches everything thrown his way and always throws the ball back accurately. Keeps control of the game. Tireless, always in the game..........................................Paul M.

First Base--Strong, able to handle all throws, steady, power hitter............................................Bill Nelson

Second Base--Fresh faced kid just up from the minor leagues but already a star, especially helpful to other fielders, always thinks of the team before herself........................Emily

Shortstop--Great range, versatile, consistent hitter, comes through in the clutch.....................................paul h

Third Base--Big Power Hitter, Many home runs.......Joe Stong

Left Field--Doesn't play as often as I'd like. Just enough at-bats to make the team. But when she plays--WOW! Never makes an error. Always displays tremendous fortitude, conviction, and dedication to the team. My personal choice for MVP..............lesley

Center Field--Covers a lot of ground. Very feisty and passionate player. Loyal to the team..........................David

Right Field--Also covers a lot of ground, feisty and passionate. Even opponents can't help but admire his play......Steve

As in the real all-star game, there are others who deserve to be on the team, but there are only nine positions open. This is but one fan's vote.

-- Brian Crane (brian.crane@cranemills.com), June 21, 2004.

thanks all, for your comments...

Shortstop--Great range, versatile, consistent hitter, comes through in the clutch.....................................paul h

i used to play shortstop in little league... and you even got how i capitalize my name right... im impressed.

i guess i've been here for awhile now, which i never would have thought of myself as old on the forum until i reflected on all the people who ive known here. i dont get to post as much as i used to, but i also dont do political debates very well. i guess ed becoming moderator and enforcing the rules was predominantly the downfall of my career in online apologetics. thats okay, if i post less, i still like today's forum more.

i'll start with the other older members, Paul M is an inveritable font of knowledge, whom i rarely disagree with on anything more than a wording issue. eugene is a fiery old man (and uses that fact in arguements) who knows what he believes in. thankfully i dont argue with him very often... John Gecik was a great poster and i miss his vast knowledge, although bill does a great job of taking up that torch with his provocative articles that he seeks out. i miss rod, i know he is in the other forum, but i wouldnt mind seeing him around here some more. his compassion and his hunger for truth are truly amazing. also normally missing is sara (the one from england) who used to post here quite often. and dave, who, like eugene, is one you dont want to get on his bad side. elpidio, even though i dont agree with his beliefs, has always been kind and a gentle debator who doesnt resort to personal attacks, even when i know i've probably hit him with one or two here or there.

rising stars i see (and i appologize to any i miss out on, because i havent been posting alot lately, i havent gotten a good chance to know many of the newer people): emily, first and foremost, whos compassion and conversion always amaze me. oliver, i guess, isnt new, but i just met him here, is a very positive poster here in the forum. its a breath of fresh air in a debate environment. vincent too, though i havent gotten to read much of his stuff. and i would say ed, although he isnt new, i only really got to know him when he became moderator. i dont always agree, but he lends my opinion credence, always.

i know i left ALOT of names off that list, but those are the ones i can think of now before i rush off to work. God bless you all.

-- paul h (dontsendmemail@notanaddress.com), June 22, 2004.