I want to thank Dr Friedmann for taking the time to clarify some of the contentions he raised in his original commentary that appeared in the Archives of Surgery.1 I feel certain he realizes that when a leader in the field of surgical education chooses to publish controversial ideas in a prestigious journal that a reasonable expectation is that these views will be challenged and answered. Objective review of my editorial response2 will show that it was not an ad hominem diatribe. There was no personal attack on Dr Friedmann's character, which I believe to be entirely above reproach on the basis of his excellent reputation. The focus of the responses in the Archives by Dr Schuller,3 Dr Alford,4 and myself were Dr Friedmann's contentions, particularly those that seemed to us to be derogatory or misleading. My responding editorial does not qualify as a diatribe, as