Lexi,

Joe should know.....he's a veritable whiz at strawman construction.

: )

Dear Joe (Loudmouth),

A tiny strawman?

Nah.

More like a pyromaniac in a field of strawmen.

Dear Poirot,

Ah well, some drink from the fountain of knowledge
others just gargle. ;-)

Flappety flappety flap - oh, look, is that a wounded goose ? No, two wounded gooses ! Poor things. I wonder where their nests are. Oh, I'm standing in one of them.

Thanks Lexi, you're close to the mark -

A little learning is a dangerous thing ;
Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring :
There shallow draughts intoxicate the brain,
And drinking largely sobers us again.
Fired at first sight with what the Muse imparts,
In fearless youth we tempt the heights of Arts ;
While from the bounded level of our mind
Short views we take, nor see the lengths behind,
But, more advanced, behold with strange surprise
New distant scenes of endless science rise !
So pleased at first the towering Alps we try,
Mount o’er the vales, and seem to tread the sky ;
The eternal snows appear already past,
And the first clouds and mountains seem the last ;
But those attained, we tremble to survey
The growing labours of the lengthened way ;
The increasing prospect tires our wandering eyes,
Hill peep o’er hills, and Alps on Alps arise !

I love those last few lines. Seeking knowledge is never-ending, isn't it ? What a brilliant poet Pope was. If only he had lived a bit longer. Life is so transient, and so precious.

Now, what was the topic again ?

Love,

Joe

if I may revert this thread to discussion of 'whats next', I note the recent decision by Queensland Transport Minister Emerson to exempt Sikh bicyclists from the law requiring the wearing of helmets. This follows a still unresolved case of an islamic female refusing to show her face to a member of the blue-uniformed thuggery but which will almost certainly end up in favour of said islamic. Interestingly, an application by christian women seeking exemption from photographic identification on the grounds that it constitutes a 'graven image' (thereby contravening the first of the Ten Commandments) was refused. Seems to me this is blatant discrimination on the basis of religious belief (and yes Martha, I HAVE read the relevant legislation). Theologically its questionable whether or not the Ten Commandments are still relevant today however the point remains that many christians & all jews / islamics believe they are, consequently all should be equally entitled to quote these scriptures as justification for whatever exemptions. I suggest that allowing special consideration ONLY for members of minority (in Australia) groups is morally wrong, unsafe (in the strict legal sense) & certain to create widespread angst on the part of those who believe they are discriminated against, PARTICULARLY when they feel they have a more legitimate claim.

Dear Joe (Loudmouth),

There's a wide-eyed owl
With a pointed nose
He has pointed ears
And claws for toes
He sits in a tree
And looks at you
Then flaps his wings and says
Who... Who... whooo!

It's good to question everything.
That's how we learn.

Yes, indeed, Lexi.

Here's a good question then:

* should somebody be allowed to be involved in a medical operation on you who hasn't washed his or her hands ?

On cultural, religious, anti-tactile, teenage-allergic-to-soap, olfactory, or any other grounds.

Simple question. Hard to get an answer to it but. Easier to flap around and divert :)

Love,

Joe