I agree completely and I did indeed apply subtle ruses to get him to agree with me. I pointed out how perceptive he was to note that the project in question could be broken down into reporting issues and I thanked him for the insight and took his criticim as approval. Rather than looking dumb he agreed with me and we moved on. However after such blatent toadying I felt the need to vent and so vented in the direction of the monastry where I knew the vents would be understood. I am sure we have all been in the place I am currently in.