Right, by some 2.5 million votes.

I agree with the other posters: simple friendship is a valiant hope and pursuit. We can all use the kind of friend(s) that you describe.

But I would wonder, are you perhaps really looking for more, unconsciously? This comment goes way beyond your profile, of course. But such a friendship as you describe you are seeking could easily and irresistibly evolve into something more, no?

Good luck to you and all those you hold dear.

Oceans

Well thanks, Rain. I looked at your profile--pretty cool, interesting, and refreshing! May all happiness be yours.

Oceans

Thanks, everyone! I really appreciate your help. All further feedback very welcome.

Oceans

Yuck. I take your point, Jaan_Doh. Will do, and thanks!

Oceans

OK! I added a couple of photos and "interests." Better?

Again -- thanks for the tips!

Good suggestion! A question: I have a wide set of interests: from reading fiction and non-fiction, the Middle East, management strategies and tools, organizational performance, the future of human evolution, skiing and sailing, traveling, correspondence with interesting people, motorcycling, etc. Well you see the problem….

But I'll give it a try, Pansytilly. And many thanks for your help! I know I am not very good at this.

Oceans

OK. Many thanks TMommy. Will do. Any other hints? I appreciate the feedback.
Oceans

Thanks for your feedback!
Oceans

ISIS cloaks itself in Islam but in fact carries out strategies and actions that are entirely anti-Islamic.

So, who is ISIS, really? Is it set up by people who want to make Islam look bad in the eyes of Westerners who are likely not to know much about Islam? Or is it a false-flag operation?

I think the Iraqi government, the Syrians (both Assad and the anti-Assad groups, the Iranians, the peshmerga, and the U.S.-led air-strikes will put paid to ISIS within the next ten months or so. My hope is that their leadership, and most especially al-Baghdadi, will be captured and we will discover who he really is and what his goals have been.

But I would guess that he will vanish and that we may well never know who he really was and who he worked for.