Father Bill,and any others who may inadvertantly be upset by posts.

I have found that the grittier the debate gets,the more I end up admiring those with enough of the stiff upper lip to hold thier own,particularly the ones that can do so whilst obeying the queens rules,so to speak.

Was not this same grit needed on Floddens field,in the chiltroms of Falkirk,in the grape shot flayed lines waiting for the charge on Drummossie moor,in the thin red line that saved Sebastopol,or in the trenches on the Somme?For families with Scots blood this is part of the spirit that is awakened when the kilt is worn.Is not attraction to this 'aura' about the kilt also partly why it holds some attraction for you?

Then don't let the encouragements(I said encouragements)to toughen up be seen as anything more than a clear reminder of the ancestors of whose offsprings company you keep.It goes with this territory.
I hear you when you say responses can be controlled, feelings cannot.
But if you work through those feelings and reach a point where they won't beat you,then that is true toughness,is it not?