I sort of understand, but...

...you have to understand, this is the sort of medium that thrives on encouragement. New writers who recieve 1's don't stick around long enough to become vets. I understand the argument, and have used it myself a time or two...in different situations. For THIS situation, I really feel that a 1 can crush a person who had only just worked up the courage to post. Check out my early stuff at the BEAdd. I was pretty fragile at the time. "Dare I try to post?" I wondered, before jumping in. Before that, I was a lurker who read but didn't contribute. Also, you might have noticed...that while I gemerally get pretty good ratings, I don't often have anyone willing to help with the heavy lifting. I come to play...not perform. Dancing for my own entertainment isn't my bag. I need a partner to keep a thread going. The fewer writers we have around here, the worse my chances are. Oh, just to back up my argumant, I've rated your post a 10 :>)