Hey, I, too, used to love Jeff's contributions to IGTC. They were smart,
literate, well-written, & contained a fresh perspective. Then he got
weird. I can't explain.
As I understand the problem, it's about social conventions. In more
traditional times, Jeff would challenge Mark to a duel over the affront, and
they would shoot each other to death with silver inlaid dueling pistols.
You and I could be their seconds, and we'd be rid of both of them and get to
keep the pistols for ourselves. ;)
But, since they're actually hundreds of miles apart and this is the 21st
century, they just continue to snarl at each other through email lists.