Hey, Lexi,

I noticed Pelican's visits were becoming more intermittent, and now she doesn't seem to be around at all. Maybe she's found some other hobby to take up her spare time....I miss her sensible and balanced contributions too.

Dear Poirot,

I hope that's all it is.
Perhaps she'll come back to us
after a while. I hope so.

I must confess there have been times
when I've contemplated leaving -
but Shadow Minister keeps dragging me
back (hee, hee).

Seriously though,
I would miss the forum and its many and
varied contributors.
As Belly pointed out - we've come to
know each other over the years. I'd like to think that
there's a certain connection.

Yes I’ve been wondering where Pelican has got to for a while now.

Poirot, you have written a post that is entirely off-topic, but which is perfectly acceptable as far as I’m concerned, and I presume that there wouldn’t be single poster on OLO that would have a problem with it.

This is a good example of where the ‘keep responses on topic’ rule falls down and really does need to be redefined.

I am just being pedantic here?

No definitely not. There is a lot of merit in striving to make the rules match accepted practice as closely as possible. All manner of rules and laws …. even if it takes several sentences to explain exactly what the situation is.

Ludwig,

I've had to stop myself twice from posting that chocolate cake recipe on this thread : )

Things are quite often far more casual in the general section, and often we just resort to casual banter. I had a thread called "Smells" which ended up being so interesting because we let it go where it would - often happens once a thread has been going for a while.

I've seen it happen (mainly in the article's section) when posters twist a topic inside out to fit their hobby horse and post almost completely off topic. I think that's why the rule exists, and I think it should remain.

We only have to use our common sense, keeping in mind that Graham realises that we're old enough to police most of our discussions and to regulate ourselves. I think, for the most part, he'd much rather not interfere unless it's absolutely necessary.

I have a friend who has been an ardent OLO reader ever since I started in 2005, but who has steadfastly refused to become a contributor. He does however often express his views to me via email or via a verbal earbashing!

A lot of the time he agrees with me, but sometimes, sheesh, he really gives Hasbeen a run for his money as to who is the grumpier old fart!!

He wrote this today:

Ludwig, I disagree with the thrust of your thread and consider it to be a no-brainer; a vague analogy might be compared to the (first) newscast I listened to on my beloved Radio National. It started with some bullsh!t about an Australian race horse winning some race in Ascot, wherever that is.

Like WHO CARES? The world is GOING TO HELL IN A HAND BASKET, indeed some are even predicting Armageddon as early as December (:-))) and they (R.N.) make that the lead article??

Nah! And if you will pardon the pun our G.Y. is steering this huge ship called O.L.O. admirably. (Admiral. Get it?)

(Oh, let's start a thread arguing about how many angels can fit on the head of a pin!)

I really think your motive for starting this "Remain on Topic" was just another excuse to push your "Rule of Law"/ "Code of Conduct" barrow, and that's alright, but don't forget the 'meat and potatoes' articles/threads.

i.e. write about something that matters! :)

P.S. Leave little Graham alone!

Well…. he is a friend some of the time! { :>\

<< I disagree with the thrust of your thread and consider it to be a no-brainer >>

Bahhhh!!


<< I really think your motive for starting this "Remain on Topic" was just another excuse to push your "Rule of Law"/ "Code of Conduct" barrow, and that's alright… >>

Of course it is alright. The rule of law is very worthy subject matter for discussion on this forum.

I note that ‘law and liberties’ is one of the categories for both general discussion threads and articles.

<< …G.Y. is steering this huge ship called O.L.O. admirably >>

Well I certainly agree with that.

Now I implore him to sign up to OLO and start putting his copious views on everything up here for all of us to read…. and be duly entertained by!! Er, I mean… for all of us to admire the enormous wisdom inherent therein!