AP: Mr. administrator : Please make this thread go away.
My original reply: AP, You don't need anyone's help on this. When you see a
post on a thread that is of no interest to you, hit that little key that says
Del.
T Sims: This is a reasonable comment that generally applies to on topic
threads.
Chief: It's reasonable only if I believed that AP needs my instructions on
how to delete a post. Otherwise one has to conclude that the comment was
sarcastic. Which it was.
original reply: It is an abbreviation for delete (in case you thought it was
to DELiver a pizza).
T. Sims: IMO this is a gratuitous, uncalled for comment.
Chief: Actually, Tom, since "gratuitous" and "uncalled for" are redundant
that makes YOUR comment gratuitous. But IMO, my comment was merely sarcastic
as was the first one which you apparently approved. Or at least accepted.
Sarcasm is an attempt to make a point in a humorous way.
Original reply: <snip> Why are you (and others) so eager to shut people up?
T. Sims: I'll answer this, since I agreed with A.P., and I requested that
this thread be ended. This thread was off topic, had gotten personal, and IMO
had already received more ink than warranted. I would prefer that all posts
are on topic, but don't have a large problem with ones that aren't, as
long as they don't drag out and/or become disruptive.
Chief: You have been kind enough to share this opinion with me previously.
That's why I hoped to solicit Albert's input.
But I'd like your input on this question. Why is it any more inconvenient to
delete "on topic" comments that are of no interest to a significant majority
(eg. Tunica) than "off topic" comments (eg French Humor) that are of no
interest to a significant majority?
The attraction of interest groups is that people who have one interest in
common (eg. video poker) can gather and shoot the bull. It is often the case
this one common interest will attract people who share other interests or
people who have other similarities. Maybe a certain outlook on life or
similar goals or similar problem solving techniques. Of course the group will
not be monolithic but it is just statistically more likely that there will be
more compatibility among people who share one significant interest than among
the general population. Maybe there are significant passions on the same
subject but with opposing views.
So what's the point? Let the topics flow. If I join a Church group it
doesn't mean that we have to restrict out conversations to the Mystery of the
Holy Trinity. Or to Bingo. Let ideas and speech flourish. Many have DIED
fighting for that ideal. Don't be so quick to trample it.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]