So there is this guy on this leftist liturgy blog who likes to talk smack about me. I used to take it personally, but now I suppose it's something of a compliment. He doesn't talk smack about a) people who agree with him or b) people who aren't at all influential. So really, it's kind of a pleasure when he tries a takedown. It's like a tickle fight, or a snowball on the car door, or some equally innocuous thingie that's only annoying when it goes on and on and on with no interference from the moderator, who sometimes seems like a mother who is oblivious to her little boy's endless stamina for teasing.

One of the things that is cute about something he has recently posted is that he's talking smack about a conversation in which two CMAAers, including me, strongly disagree. Imagine! Imagine two people "on the same side" in earnest disagreement about something! This only seems unusual because there are those for whom disagreement is not allowed. Ironically, they probably are the same people who enjoy singing hymns about "diversity."

Anyways, all by way of saying that I am grateful to be part of a group in which respect doesn't have to mean kneejerk agreement, where kindness doesn't have to mean compromise, and where tolerance isn't usually preached but is usually practiced. It's great to be on this journey, shall we say, with all of you.