Jamie, I can't see this as being a true statement of my exchanges with you. If my responses are difficult for you to address, then that is one thing, your changing the rules to make your own position easier to defend is unfair and seems quite a petulant response.
I've already said that I agree with Mark Weiss on his definition of songs/poems, and am surprised that you haven't argued with the soundness of it, but have concentrated on my position on the matter, which, as i said, in light of Mark's response, I'm prepared to not pursue further, as Mark has fully addressed the issue.
My "not exiting" the discussion, has been due to feeling the need to agree with further points Tim Allen has made and which you have found fault with. I find what Tim says on this matter accurate and interesting. Others have found your position similarly so, and I fully welcome that.
I have to add, that of the list of things you accuse me of, I do accept the charge of rebutting, as you put it, "a single partial point extracted from a larger context", but I don't see it as being bad, but as having some value. Focusing on particular aspects of an argument that are mistaken, and addressing them, is something that saves constant rehearsals of "whole arguments" simply to rebut one aspect of them. I'm surprised you even mention this.
----------------------Original Message--------------------
Jamie McKendrick wrote:
From the plethora of posts from you since your declared 'exit', I take it
that you are now back in the discussion. Fine by me.
Can we establish a few ground rules? (All I believe are in the spirit of
the list's 'rules'.) We don't attribute words and ideas to each other that
have not been said. We try not to misrepresent the other's arguments for the
sake of scoring points. We attempt not just to rebut a single partial point
extracted from a larger context but try to see the whole argument. And
finally try to keep it reasonably respectful.
Otherwise this exchange between us will deteriorate even further which
will be acrimonious for the two of us, and tedious, if it isn't already so,
for everyone else.
Jamie
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