That one about being tried in his absence etc, I've always read as attributed to Brendan Behan.

   I haven't read thru all the Shambles-...on second thoughts, I think this is for a new thread, forget it.


   on third thoughts, this may be the place.

   Has any one made the point that because we all have every human characteristic deep within us, that The Shambles is a gift to us.

   I'll explain by way of a joke which some but not all know.

   It's pouring. little old lady in house. Boatman comes along says the rain will get much worse and she'd better get in.

   "No," thus the lady,"The Lord will provide. Go away." The boat does.

   Rain gets so heavy, lady decamps to first floor. A second boat appears, with same conversation and result.

   Rain so heavy, lady moves to roof. Third boat appears, with same result and departs.

   Rain continues and lady drowns.

   She goes to heaven in a temper, determined to see the Top 'Man' who she is shown in to.

   "I trusted in you," she says.

   The Lord replies, "Well lady, i sent you three boats."




   My point with this story is to underline how easy it is to fail to see a gift when it's (that;s correct) right in front of your face.

   So how is The Shambles a gift.

   Coupla suggestions.
   
   Are you really saying you never change the subject when you don't have an answer? OK, so what's that about for you not-Shambles'?

   You never ignore difficult points?

    Never bog opponents down in irrelevant detail?

   
   The other point is about dealing with all those tendencies. Doesn't look too much like much of what is done is having too much effect. Tho' the heated responses to Shambles' general coolness and not-being-personal-ness(usually,usually) is rather amusing.

   My point is summed up in the thought,"If you keep on doing whAT YOU'VE ALWAYS DONE , you keep on getting what you've always got."

   Still, if it makes you happy................

   And don't forget,


"Always look on the br.....etc." Hopr we won't be regretting all this on our deathbeds - that's what I call a closed thread.




    Ivor



    ivor