After some few second thoughts (or seconds of thought) on the matter, my conclusion is that even before the thread drift Joe was less than fully successful with this thread. It's quite obvious that he was hoping we'd give him some support to justify that 42 inch super plasma he's going to get anyway.

(We know he wants it.)

If we're not going to help him out, at least we could turn the drift in a more interesting direction - like:

W.h.a.t.'.s. i.t. r.e.a.l.l.y. g.o.n.n.a. c.o.s.t. J.o.e t.o. l.i.v.e. t.h.r.o.u.g.h .s.p.e.n.d.i.n.g a.l.l. t.h.a.t. m.o.n.e.y. a.n.d. w.h.a.t. g.o.o.d.i.e.s. i.s. .h.e. g.o.n.n.a. g.e.t. h.e.r. t.o. m.a.k.e. i.t. a.l.l. o.k.a.y.?

(Maybe he really even needs it.)

How about some volunteer testimonials: "I spent $$$$$$ and survived by ....."

John