I can't agree.  How is it that the use of cw automatically teaches good
operating practices?  I never used a key after I passed the test, and I
consider myself a good operator.  I don't think a microphone or a key
determines what kind of person slash operator you are.  It is what you
choose to be.  AS I indicated before, back in the sixties, when I was
first licensed, some of the most obnoxious operators I ran across were
extras who had gone through your cw period, even passing 20 words a
minute.  I just don't think you can realisticly claim the mode makes the
operator.  We'll just have to agree to disagree.
73s
Butch Bussen
wa0vjr