My Friends,

With regret, I must tell you that I will not be posting on the TVL message boards anymore.

I came to these forums for the reasons many of you have, I suspect: I felt that TVL programming is taking an unfortunate turn away from its original "mission statement." I wondered how many people were of the same mind as me.

Although you represent a vocal minority, or so I understand, I was pleased to see that I was not alone in my dismay! Don't take me wrongly- I know a station can air almost anything it pleases. But I had called the New York hotline and left a voicemail, and that was not satisfying.  So, assuming the station had message boards like this to take "public opinion baths" in, I put forward my two cents online: why not remain the station people turn to to escape the distressing information glut we face every day? Is it so wrong for a station to cater to some viewers who remember better days, and would like to be reminded of them through the wonderful "classic" programs of yesteryear? Must innocence be altogether eradicated from that tube? I never pretended television was not important to me. It is, to just about all of you, too. So I wrote, expecting to leave perhaps one or two comments.

THEN, I DISCOVERED YOU, MY FRIENDS OF THE MISC., POLITICS, GENERATION BOARDS, AS WELL AS GUNSMOKE, LEAVE IT TO BEAVER, AND SEVERAL OTHERS LESS FREQUENTED!

And I felt I had found a very pleasant distraction from personal cares, particularly the health of my twin brother. You folks have been stimulating as well as welcoming, kind, gracious, and funny! I've learned so much about differing perspectives, and was pleased to see that the great American tradition of polite civil debate had not completely disappeared on the internet. And I've been reminded that excellent people are to be found on both sides of every worthy dispute! You dear people truly follow Mr. Lincoln's maxim: "He has the right to criticize where he has the heart to help." You have been almost to a person polite, warm, friendly, easygoing, not to neglect intelligent, pithy, incisive, imaginative.

It will be only natural for me, a single poster, to fade quickly from this busy forum. But believe me, I will not forget you!  

Some of you know I'm fond of quoting "sage advice." One quote I have pertains to so many of you very aptly, for you folks live this remark to the letter. I leave it here largely for the benefit of newcomers to the forum:

"I cannot help believing that the world will be a better and happier place when people are praised more and blamed less; when we utter in their hearing the good we think and also gently intimate the criticisms we sincerely hope may be of service. For the world grows smaller every day. It will be but a family circle after a short while."

- Francis E. Willard

Friends, I can't elaborate upon my reasons for departing, beyond noting that circumstances have arisen which make posting no longer enjoyable for me, and that it could easily have been otherwise. This fills me with regret. But I take vast comfort in recalling the many new friends I've made along the way. 

God Bless all of you, fellow viewers! If circumstances change and I were to return, I should be honored if you'd accord me so much as a shadow of the welcome you have already given.

Sincerely, Respectfully, and in Friendship,

Kristoffer