I have been disconnected for a while and thus I couldn't join the discussion. But now I would like to testify my support to Nick Cox and others.
Objectively, he provides a valuable service to the list, given that, by asking for proper references, he often obtains an anwer, thus allowing the discussion to continue. Thnaks Phli per pointing out that the result is the think most important here.
Subjectively, in any situation and in any time, I prefer to be otrageously offended (those lamenting about supposed harsh remarks don't even know what harsh really means) rather than to being ignored.
Nicola
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