Somehow the extended exchange concerning high growth rate investing versus value investing remined me of a story my father told me many decades ago.

The story happened in the days when transcontinental trains were the way folks traveled between the East and West coasts. Airlines were in their infancy.

This wealthy, influential gentleman boarded the evening train in NYC bound for LA. He had a very nice dinner in the dining car, called for the dessert menu, and ordered a strawberry shortcake. Regretfully, the waiter explained that the strawberries loaded on the train turned out to be spoiled and offered a number of alternatives – gratis.

The gentleman was outraged and called for the head waiter. "Dammit I’m a first class passenger, it’s on your menu, and I want my strawberry shortcake." Then he asked for the conductor – same story.

Although the evening was starting to get late, the conductor stopped the train at a small town and sent someone to buy some strawberries. And they did.

The train restarted, and a magnificent strawberry shortcake was served to the irate passenger.

He took one look, pushed it away, and declared: “To hell with it, I’d rather be mad!!”

Sometimes there are people determined to stick with their viewpoint who would rather be mad – regardless of the efforts of others to help them.