MANY YEARS AGO, I attended a rocket launch with a group of people I did not know. I'd never been to the site before, was not extremely experienced at rocketry, and flat did not know what was going to happen that day.

The host of the launch made me feel quite welcome. He invited me into his home, showed me around, and treated me, a complete stranger, like I was a best friend. We had a great day at the launch and went out to dinner with the whole group that evening. Afterward, when he found I had made no plans for a place to stay, he offered me a room for the night. He insisted I join the family at the breakfast table the next morning, even though we had met less than 24 hours ago.

It really made me feel special. I returned to fly with this group many times and was astounded to see that I was not special at all; everyone in the group, no matter how new, was made a member of the family. Thanks to our kind host, we had camaraderie that I've not felt before or since. I will always treasure the memory of those years.

The host's name? John Cato.

Let's face it, discussing rocket politics on the Internet is impossible without mentioning Mr. Cato. He is vocal, prolific, and tenacious. I certainly do not agree with everything that he has to say (or have time to read it all). The point I'm trying to make here is that behind the postings and email is a real person. Every message from every reader of rec.models.rockets comes from a human being with the virtually the same characteristics as yourself. We all have feelings. We all have family and friends that care about us just like you.

Email has altered the act of writing in some ways that are not pleasant. Writing and mailing a letter was once a very personal act. The recipient was going to hold in their hand something you crafted yourself. In the days before printers and typewriters, maybe you'd spend several hours with that little bit of paper. Used to be, writing gave you time to consider your words and make sure the exact meaning was transmitted. Now we shoot off messages at the speed of light. Our ideas spew out onto the screen and are gone before we even think about what we have said. Foot-in-mouth disease, poor spelling and bad grammar are overlooked so we can make a fast reply.

The impersonal nature of email has made us rude beyond belief. Things are said on the Internet that few would have the guts to say in person. Chances are, you've never even met that guy you just flamed. If he were standing right in front of you, you'd drop your eyes and mumble something unintelligible, and walk away. If you did manage to speak exactly as you wrote, you'd probably end up on the six o'clock news as an assault victim. We've become a bunch of uncouth cowards.

It all reminds me of the graffiti on a stall in a public restroom.

There is no solution. Anarchy is the nature of the Internet. You can only tend to your own garden and hope that others will, too. And remember, while you may not like what John, Bruce, Bob, Chuck, Jerry, or Mark have to say, at least they are trying to make a difference (even if it's not the one you think we need). I hope that next time you will think before you flame.