Steve,

Regrettably, it happens a little too often, though not as often as you might think. Of the linked threads listed at the top of the thread in question, two out of 50 odd were marked as closed which is only about 4%. However, both were closed for the same reason - descending into petty bickering. In one case it involved several of the same people as were involved in the "traditional definition" thread.

Equally regrettably it is our fellow countrymen who are most often guilty in this regard.

I have also noted that another current thread - on a current "revival" seems to be heading the same way, though it has calmed down in the the more recent posts. Some others of the "usual suspects" are involved there as well.

It is a pity that some of these threads degenerate in this way, because the topics are of interest and worthy of discussion.

Closed for review by Joe.

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I agree with the sentiments expressed, but I'm going to leave this thread closed. My explanation is in the first message.
-Joe-