Heymow - Lawnmower Racing Forum
General => Coffee Shop => Topic started by: jbochmann07 on December 22, 2010, 10:07:33 pm
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Okay guys, I am sure this has been talked about a ton of times but spelling is more important than most people think. When people hear the term "lawn mower racing" they naturally want to think hillbilly or something of that sort so one way to combat this way of thinking is to show your knowledge in the simplest form possible.
SPELLING!
We have all got at least some sort of elementary education, and schools wont even let you pass the second grade if you cannot spell efficiently. When guests check out this site we want to show them that we are not just hillbillies. We all have background with engineering, math, and science. This is true because if we didn't none of our mowers would function correctly.
If you have horrible spelling there is a very easy fix. Use Google Chrome as your internet browser. Spell check is automatically built in.
So now that I have given you the easy way to fix your spelling there should be no if's, and's, or but's about how you just aren't a good speller.
I hope everyone will read this because our little Heymow world would become such a better place if we could all process what other people are trying to say.
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Firefox has a spell check built in also.
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Man, you decide to step on feet with this one, forget the toes. Why didn't you just ask if the moderators could add spell check.
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Because I do not believe that is the responsibility of the moderators. We all know how to speak the language so we should know how to write it also.
I will say that about 95% of the people on here are pretty good, but there are a few that I have seen that are just clueless when it comes to spelling.
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The Mods have been begging for a long time for folks to help out and improve their grammar.
It is hard to help someone, when you can't understand it. I have deleted posts I can't read.
Safari also has a spell checker. The words turn red, if they do not seem correct.
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It's a forum for people to discuss and just talk. I understand that people, can openly read post and there are some, including myself that have trouble with spelling and grammar. The orginal intent of lawnmower racing in the US was for a grassroot sport that anyone could afford to participate in. I would hate it if some of the most mechanically minded people, decide not to share their ideas and thoughts, because they were embarrassed or didn't want to face ridicule from others over spelling and grammar. Yes, lawnmower racing has evolved into much more than probably ever expected or intended. I think those who participate in the sport should be proud of themselves and others who race, not embarrased by the simplicity of the idea or those who participate. People sharing and discussing things is what has made this sport so great, it has brought a sense of equality to everyone.
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I agree with you completely, but how can those "most mechanically inclined" individuals get their point acroos if they cannot spell?
I am not trying to bash anyone at all but we just need to try a little harder. With the use of technology there is no reason to spell multiple words wrong in the same post.
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It's a forum for people to discuss and just talk. I understand that people, can openly read post and there are some, including myself that have trouble with spelling and grammar. The orginal intent of lawnmower racing in the US was for a grassroot sport that anyone could afford to participate in. I would hate it if some of the most mechanically minded people, decide not to share their ideas and thoughts, because they were embarrassed or didn't want to face ridicule from others over spelling and grammar. Yes, lawnmower racing has evolved into much more than probably ever expected or intended. I think those who participate in the sport should be proud of themselves and others who race, not embarrased by the simplicity of the idea or those who participate. People sharing and discussing things is what has made this sport so great, it has brought a sense of equality to everyone.
Here here! and there there!
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I too struggle with spelling and worse yet...typing. However I pick up quickly when I read posts with mis-used words (grammar). Breaks =brakes, there=their and so on. Don't know why I notice it and I'll do it myself on occasion but it's typically because of spell check reliance. If it doesn't underline in red then I just keep on typing and I sometimes don't proof read my posts before posting them (the upside down Intek incident - LOL). I believe we all should strive to become better at everything we do - including writing posts. So please everyone don't take this as a bashing but rather as a challenge to overcome.
Lester
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I too struggle with spelling and worse yet...typing. However I pick up quickly when I read posts with mis-used words (grammar). Breaks =brakes, there=their and so on. Don't know why I notice it and I'll do it myself on occasion but it's typically because of spell check reliance. If it doesn't underline in red then I just keep on typing and I sometimes don't proof read my posts before posting them (the upside down Intek incident - LOL). I believe we all should strive to become better at everything we do - including writing posts. So please everyone don't take this as a bashing but rather as a challenge to overcome.
Lester
Thank you, that is exactly why I posted it. Just to make people more aware and strive to become better.
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The Western Ontario Outlaws have the same type of forum, and I believe that they have a spell checker on their site.
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I think speelling is important to...
However, have you ever thought that maybe some of us are Hillbillys and might take offence to your statement? Shoot, I have an eye-spy book next to the toilet, does this mean I am 8 years old? Nah, just a happy crapper...
By the way, proper grammer includes more then just spelling. ;)
Live and let live, Merry Christmas Ya'll !!
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jbochmann07,
Efficiently was never one of the words tha I had to learn how to spell in the 2nd grade. :P Another issue thatgets my goat is the wrong use of a word like brake vs break. :bash: Just 'cause it's spelled right does not mean that you have the proper application.
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" individuals get their point acroos if they cannot spell?
Live and let live
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Should we do away with the smilely faces too
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Should we have a little spelling lesson for some of the most obvious words.
Like duel/dual. Dual exhaust. Duel with pistols or swords.
This is one of the worst forums for spelling/grammar I've ran across on the 'net. Also the best forum for small engine modifications.
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Live and let live
Nice catch :D
I guess that just goes to show that we all make mistakes. My main point for this topic was for the posts that have numerous words misspelled.
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Not so much spelling errors or occasional fat fingered mistype...
It's the careless, lazy, psudo slacker "text typer" and the "I was in a hurry" :censored:...
Take your time to communicate properly, or don't bother us with your drivel...
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The beautiful thing about the English language, both spoken and written, is the ability to read or hear what was said. I don't worry about postings on message boards. I like way folks sound out their words, much like Mark Twain did in most of his literature. Some of the smartest guys I know can't spell a lick, but can tune a carburetor or diagnose what's going on with a motor just by feeling the exhaust temp. But then again, these are the same guys that put their finger on a weld right after they take the stick off. :bash: I say type away and let the cyphering begin. Just my opinion as one who likes to hear and read the different dialects across our states (and Canada).
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Just my opinion as one who likes to hear and read the different dialects across our states (and Canada).
Too bad you can't hear (not here) Outback Andy's accent in his posts. Just Kidding Andy ;)
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Did you mean pseudo?
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does anyone know where i can get peerless 900 top case
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Please fill out your profile, and post that in the want ads section.
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i cant figure it out i filled it out but it doesnt stay
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Let me know if I'm too far off topic.
I took a GM training class for independent mechanics back in the '80's. As they handed out literature and workbooks, I noticed one man filling out a registration form for his friend/brother/co worker. He couldn't read, but had shown up for a computer controlled engine introductory course.
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i cant figure it out i filled it out but it doesnt stay
Click on the profile link at top of page, then when that screen comes up look at the top left side of screen then go to forum profile information. Once you make your changes scroll to bottom of screen and click change profile. getrdone :D
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Did you mean pseudo?
I was in a hurry...
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cool!!!! I do the same thing sometimes!!!!!!!!! Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!!
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Most of the spelling distractions have to do with teasing, poking fun, and just playing.
Just as has been said before, how serious do we need to be, we race lawn mowers.
I can't spell all that well either.
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wow im probly one of the worst spellers types on here . but i have isures with this have sence i can remember . u want my spelling better put in spell check. i recently just sighned up for another form . i waz very suprised they had spell check . same form set up as this but had a spell check button right be for u hit post . my 2 cents don't like it leave the change in the jar :tard:
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If you use Firefox it has a built in spell checker, it works exactly like MS Office. I would also suggest using a simple Google search if you don't know how to spell a word. You say you can't spell... well then work on it, practice it, look things up it takes 2 seconds and you learn something. Just because your not in school anymore doesn't mean you should stop learning. If you ask me, nothing says incompetent like bad spelling, especially when your using a computer that can check it for you.
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Yes i use Firefox and the spell checker works great. It wouldn't let me type Firefox without a capital F :)
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Here is a proactive response to this thread.
Since we do not have spell checker in this system, this is what we can do for now.
We do not endorse these products, but they do have spell checkers available.
Firefox download: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/
Safari download: http://www.apple.com/safari/
Thanks to more4les for Google Chrome download: http://www.google.com/chrome
If a person needs help on a word, here is a dictionary to help out: http://www.merriam-webster.com/
There are plus and minus for these programs, and I say try them both, and decide for yourself.
Let's not fill up this thread with opinions on what is best, just try it.
This post has now served its purpose. :lock: :lock: :lock: :leaving:
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I cdnuolt blveiee
taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The
phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at
Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the
ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the
first and last ltteer be in the rghit pclae.. The rset can be a
taotl mses and you can still raed it wouthit a porbelm. This
is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by
istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh?
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Lol :lol:
I bet that took a while to write.. Its true though. I read right through it.
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good job Rooster
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Rooster I've seen that somewhere before lol
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That is great, and it works well but i still have a problem understanding what the subject is when they cant spell and dont understand what they are even needing to ask or know.
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Rooster, I try to spell everything correctly, but sometimes I look at some of the post that have a word or two that are not spelled right than I have to stop and think which is the correct spelling. Some of the words are misused,like weather for whether or wear for were and breaks for brakes. There are several. We are all human and prone to making mistakes, me included.
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YA GOT TO LOVE CHICKEN SCRATCH!
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I'm glad someone brought this up. Perhaps it was because my Mom was an English teacher, but I have a few pet peeves. Some of them are...
Run-on sentences. Especially the ones where apparently no capitals exist.... as in:
" i wuz goin down to the store the other day and there wuz a sunk and i swear it made a big ole stink and i told my friend that you better get some tomater juice cuz i told him he would stink if that thing sprayed us and i was also telling him that i was..."
Or- ALL CAPS.
" YEAH, IF YOU HAVE A STUCK BOLT YOU CAN TAKE A LOT OF WD-40 AND IF YOU BEAT ON IT LONG ENOUGH IT WILL EVENTUALLY COME LOOSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHH!!!!"
Or- the completely inexplicable...
" u mean ifa take thata thingy an hammerit till it gitsall wornout thatitllcome lewse?"
Anyway, at the end of the day its really not that big of a deal. But as others have mentioned there are totally free spell checking tools that are now part of most any web browser and almost all of them are automatic. Trust me- I suck at spelling all the time and according to my wife my grammar is not exactly stellar either. But there's no excuse for bad spelling if there are tools out there that do all the work for you.
Anyway, bad spellers untie!
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FOR THE MOST PART WE UNDERSTAND WHAT EACH OTHER IS TRYING TO SAY. CAPS AND ALL! LOL
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If you write in capitals that is yelling and it hurts my ears. :woo:
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Anyway, bad spellers untie!
Lol, awesome!
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HUH CAN'T HEAR YOU
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I would rather see all Caps, than all lower case...
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I would rather see all Caps, than all lower case...
DITTO
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I would rather see all Caps, than all lower case...
I would rather see caps when caps are appropriate and lower case when lowercase is appropriate. But misuse of case rarely affects the meaning of a sentence or the idea that is supposed to be communicated.
On the other hand ...something else is communicated by those who insist upon using all caps while knowing full well that it is generally considered bad manners, rude, obnoxious, and annoying . It communicates something about them, about what they think of others, and what they think of the generally accepted "rules of engagement". It communicates to me, an attitude of indifference, and the need for attention , among other things.
One of my gripes is when a period is not used at the end of a sentence, put in the wrong place, or a when comma is put where a period belongs. This can make things completely unintelligible or can even communicate the wrong idea.
Example: "Throw the cow over the fence. Some hay."
Also, paragraphs make long posts easier to read. Below is my post in all caps with no paragraphs.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I WOULD RATHER SEE CAPS WHEN CAPS ARE APPROPRIATE AND LOWER CASE WHEN LOWERCASE IS APPROPRIATE. BUT MISUSE OF CASE RARELY AFFECTS THE MEANING OF A SENTENCE OR THE IDEA THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE COMMUNICATED. ON THE OTHER HAND ...SOMETHING ELSE IS COMMUNICATED BY THOSE WHO INSIST UPON USING ALL CAPS WHILE KNOWING FULL WELL THAT IT IS GENERALLY CONSIDERED BAD MANNERS, RUDE, OBNOXIOUS, AND ANNOYING . IT COMMUNICATES SOMETHING ABOUT THEM, ABOUT WHAT THEY THINK OF OTHERS, AND WHAT THEY THINK OF THE GENERALLY ACCEPTED "RULES OF ENGAGEMENT". IT COMMUNICATES TO ME, AN ATTITUDE 0F INDIFFERENCE, AND THE NEED FOR ATTENTION , AMONG OTHER THINGS. ONE OF MY GRIPES IS WHEN A PERIOD IS NOT USED AT THE END OF A SENTENCE, PUT IN THE WRONG PLACE, OR A WHEN COMMA IS PUT WHERE A PERIOD BELONGS. THIS CAN MAKE THINGS COMPLETELY UNINTELLIGIBLE OR CAN EVEN COMMUNICATE THE WRONG IDEA. EG. "THROW THE COW OVER THE FENCE. SOME HAY." ALSO, PARAGRAPHS MAKE LONG POSTS EASIER TO READ.
Pretty obnoxious, eh ?
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I'll bet Goeytex could whip up some kinda of electronic forum post spell check and punctuation do-hickey thing-a-ma-bob. Make millions. LOL
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LOL glenn I second that
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I just don't understand what grammar or composition have to do with racing Lawn mowers?
I would much rather learn a good bit of advice or knowledge from a misspelled, poorly constructed piece of literature than to miss out on it because I was too busy worrying about where the guy missed a period!
You guys can worry all you want about being professinical writers, I am going back to work on being fast now....
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I AGREE WITH YOU ROOSTER!
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I will always take more stock in what is being discussed if the person can spell and communicate without confussion. Give me advice that i cant read, or have to read twice and i'm not apt to think you know what your talking about.
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I CAN AGREE WITH THAT ALSO, BUT MOST OF ARE NOT WRITERS AND DON'T ALWAYS CHECK BACK OVER WHAT WE WROTE REAL GOOD. I USE ALL CAPS BECAUSE IT MAKES READING BETTER FOR ME. I AM NOT YELLING JUST TRYING TO COMMUNICATE.
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I SECOND THAT.
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NOT using a tool like a grammatical/spelling checker is like NOT using a torque wrench to install your head bolts. Using all caps is like driving 35 in a 15 just because you want to. And which of these would rather do;
Let's eat Dad.
Let's eat, Dad.
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I would much rather learn a good bit of advice or knowledge from a misspelled, poorly constructed piece of literature than to miss out on it because I was too busy worrying about where the guy missed a period!
Yeah- but what if your mower racing club was the " English teacher lawn mower racing organization"
?
Sorry- I'm just pulling your leg!
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or what if we just ended this??? I thought it was agreed that it was done and is what it is a few weeks ago??? :bash:
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I will always take more stock in what is being discussed if the person can spell and communicate without confussion. Give me advice that i cant read, or have to read twice and i'm not apt to think you know what your talking about.
Why?
By the way, you had 2 spelling, 2 capitalization, 3 punctuation mistakes and 1 agreement mistake in that short post. That is just what I caught at a glance!
Now I am not picking on you, just using as an example. Nothing in that post tells me you are ignorant of engine, chassis, drive train or any other topic relevant to Lawn Mower racing. That post does tell me that either you have not attended an English 101 course, did not pay attention to it, or just plain do not care to check your self that much. It speaks to nothing of your level of intelligence.
I was actually a Writing/Literature Major in College, you can find as many or more mistakes in many of my postings.
As a matter of fact, I can find errors in every post on this topic, even the English teachers son ;)
As for the "technology" of spell checkers and such. I guess now if one of us is not a wholly computer literate individual he should just stay off of them huh?
My points are these.
Heymow is a Internet Forum for the sharing of Information about Lawn Mower Racing. If a member posts something you cannot understand, so what? I could write you a three page dissertation about the handling and proper adjustment of a chassis. I would almost guarantee it would be well written, use eloquent language an sound researched, experienced and accurate. George could write the same thing, and I am willing to bet if graded by an English professor I am going to win that one! Not saying anything against George, but he simply does not have the training and experience I have at writing.
Which one of us do you think will have better information?
It is a common misconception that poor spelling equals low intelligence. That simply is not true!
Someone on here mentioned that the schools do not let our children passed the 2nd grade without basic spelling skills. That as well, is inaccurate!
I've read the terms "pet-peeve", lazy drivel...I am not even going to mention how many ways this thread has been rude and offensive to the "Language Challenged". It is plain and simple unneeded, inaccurate judgment of other people you do not even know! Some of the people you have offended with these judgments have done great things for this sport!
So I would ask this, is spelling more important to you than another persons feelings?
I, like you all, have read some posts that read as complete non-sense, but none so much as I have read in this one!
So if you are so stuck up to think you are smarter or better than another man because you can out spell him, I have less use for you than I have for the non-speller who would never think of, let alone take the time to type out such offense in utter disregard for the feelings of another person.
I thought long and hard about how I was going to disregard yours!
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THANK YOU ROOSTER !! I THINK WE ARE ALL JUST LOCKED UP INSIDE GETTING OUT OF THE COLD. WINTER CAN END ANY TIME NOW! I AM REDDY TO SEE NOT FROZEN DIRT!
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I didnt intend to imply that just because someone could not spell or use proper grammar, that they were "ignorant", and if thats the way you took it-my apologies. however i do believe that what you say and write sheds a little light about yourself, and thats that. i love all rthe info on this site, and will continue to no matter what.
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Rooster, way to go! I can't spell, barely can operate the computor, and still can't figure out the spell checker you guys are talking about. My son will home this weekend, perhaps he can help me.
But.................I'm fairly fast! And I enjoy shareing stuff, makes me faster if you push me to try harder.
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SO ARE WE READY TO LOCK THIS NOW?
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I just don't understand what grammar or composition have to do with racing Lawn mowers?
It has nothing to do with actually racing Lawn Mowers, but quite a lot to do with effectively communicating
information concerning racing Lawn Mowers.
We are not racing here on this forum. We are communicating information, which is not to say that we cannot learn from a "poorly constructed piece of literature" .. we certainly can. And if that is the best a person can do then so be it.
I see no one expecting or even suggesting that folks be "professional writers" , and neither do I imagine that anyone is worrying about it much at all.
But is it really that unreasonable to expect at least a little effort in communicating in a way that is easier to understand ?
Or maybe we should all just look at the camera and say, " I like to race mowers and I'm real good at it but I ain't no smarter than a third grader !"
SO ARE WE READY TO LOCK THIS NOW?
Why lock the thread? Civilized debate is healthy, meaningful and can even be fun.
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SO ARE WE READY TO LOCK THIS NOW?
Yup, I wasn't go to lock it after my post...but I think there has been enough.