Jeez, I feel terrible. My very short off-hand remark seems to have generated so much discomfort. Another lesson in being careful about what you say in a non-face-to-face environment. I am truly sorry to have lowered the tone here with my curiosity and then my offhand remark when my curiosity was thwarted.
I have an over-riding concern that anytime people do not take the time to support their "calls" that they are setting up a dangerous situation where everyone will be divided into groupies and ankle-biters. When we support our work, then we become a more collegial group, all learning together. I read this thread because that tone clearly prevails here. I was not eloquent in my abstract concern and my comment backfired beyond imagination.