[SWTXBelle]

If stating that you were thankful El Paso was not considered part of the south was not meant to be a slam at the south - then what was it you were trying to convey? And to further complicate things, you then provide a geographical defense of El Paso as a southern city - seemingly contridicting your earlier assertion that you were thankful El Paso was not southern. Huh???
For the record, I believe you will find no arguement with the idea that El Paso is a part of the cultural and geographical Southwest. Geography is more apt to change than culture. At one time, Texas extended all the way up to what is now Colorado! El Paso has more in common with, say, New Mexico, then it does with east Texas on just about every level.
If I were to state "Thank God I'm not an Alpha Phi" - wouldn't you consider that a slam at Alpha Phi? (Not that I ever could - Syracuse Triad Forever!) I believe that is why your earlier statement was seen as an insult. If you did not mean to insult the south, you might wish to reword it. If you did, well, then at least own it!