I have for a long time been a member of this List and have, in the past, participated in the wonderful conversations about Twain.? Early on, I was very willing to respond to other's comments and postings and to initiate my own.? However, as the years have gone by, I feel somewhat intimidated that my posts will not sound "scholarly" enough.? I am a college Lecturer/teacher; I shy away from calling myself "professor" as I have only an MA---But, I have been teaching Twain to my?university students regularly since 1992.? I have participated in several of the conferences held in Elmira and thoroughly enjoyed the collegial discussions.? I have written several book reviews for the forum and for other publications, but I have not written any books on Twain.? I have only written my MA thesis on my favorite writer and fellow Missourian.? (I'm currently working on a review--the first in almost a decade for the forum--on a new book from Kent Rasmusson, How to Write about Mark Twain.)? A!
 s I am preparing my review of the book that I truly appreciate and find useful, I am feeling that connection I always feel toward Twain and fellow "Twainiacs."

That brings me to the purpose of my post.? Can I agree with both of the sides of this ongoing debate? Can I straddle the fence?? I very much admire Jocelyn Chadwick and remember meeting her at one of the conferences in Elmira.?I do not wish to see her remove herself from the List. ?I have met many of the rest of you and admire your work also.? I do not want to see any of you remove yourselves from the List.?I was just the other day wondering where Camy was.??

I remember, as a grad student, presenting my paper to the participants of the Elmira conference and feeling in awe of many of you.? After all, I had used much of your scholarship in my research and writing (and the papers I presented).? However, I have also felt a certain, how should I put it,?"elitism" regarding Twain and Twain scholarship.? I would love to ask many of you questions and get some direction in my research.? But because of the reactions to some posts and posters, I am reticent to do so.? I am not referring to either side of this debate, but to both sides of the debate.? One side likes to be provocative and incite "trouble," while the other side likes to sound like the supreme authorities.?And both sides resort to name calling. ?I like it here on my fencepost.? I guess I am like the "suckered" audience of the Royal Nonesuch, who want to see how many others get suckered into the debate.? Or perhaps I am like Pudd'nhead Wilson, I wish I owned half of the barking !
 dog because I'd shoot my half.?But then, we would not have this wonderful collective source on Twain.? I guess my point of all this is to say that perhaps this debate and bifurcation is just a reflection of the author himself.? I think he would actively participate in both sides of this debate.?? 

I am submitting this, not to drag on this "discussion," but hesitantly to offer my humble?opinion. hesitation,

Carolyn Leutzinger Richey
Lecturer, San Diego State University