LaughinJim
Prolific Writer

"With all due respect to the moderator..."
Exactly. Moving the diuscussion away from a poem or story that inspired it removes the context. It's like giving a kid who has never seen a Christmas tree a bunch of decorative ornaments without the tree. Well, almost every analogy breaks down at some point and I fear that one broke a leg right out of the box. Sorry.

Anyway, you have undoubtedly experienced moderators who shutdown discussions without any observable understanding of whether or not it is harming the forum or the participants--a kind of mindless application of the rules.

I laughed aloud when I saw the avatar of the guy wearing a uniform. And of course the warning was in red. But we obey the Ruler of the Forum or risk not being able to participate. Small price I suppose to keep on sharing what we have learned and to learn from others.

--Bill

Oh, I don't know, I like commenting. For me, the like button is for happy approval of something when an actual comment is not really warranted. There are many pieces on this site that I might comment on, but I truthfully don't know what to say, so the like button sometime helps in that regard.

you may be a bird but not a tin duck at a shooting gallery. Ok man, sounds good. I hope I didn't offend.

I liked your stuff so i added you hoping it would make it easier to read what you put out. If you ever want to collaborate on things i'm game.

Own up. You are an inveterate nose tweaker.

It's nice to know your life is consistent.

Hi jim,
How's the world treating you?

It's 1.45am here in Melb Oz, so must head off to bed. Lovely chatting. Goodnight sir.

Well I would have to agree with you there. Our system here isn't that hot either. I mean some cimes aren't woth the sentence passed. A murderer can get less than one who has embezzled. It's ludicrous. Theft is a crime and that's the truth but the punishment, just doesn't fit the crime in some circumstances. I mean take the Azaria Chamberlain case for example that poor woman was locked up for many many years before they realised that she had not killed her baby and that a dingo had actually taken it. So how does one give her back her freedom... Or at what compensation can she possibly be given to make up for her loss. So yes, sometimes the system gets it wrong. I'll not deny that.

Sounds like you feel very strongly about this topic. I too feel strongly about it. Prisons here in Melb Oz, are filling up fast and they are probably just as dangerous as where you are located. I know life is tough for them. We've have all sorts of issues here in our prisons. But I know of certain people who are quite happy to stay there. Nowhere to go and nobody to go with. They have no life on the outside. Sad really.