Reply #91: No, the debate isn't over

[Febble]

and I think this is a valuable post.

I think the two "sides" have been talking past each other, and your post clarifies both your own argument (to me) and your perception of that of the "opposition". I had definitely misunderstood yours. I believe you have misunderstood OTOH's, and possibly mine.

It also seems clear that not only have each "side" been misunderstanding each other's arguments, but each side has felt increasingly insulted, maybe rightly, maybe not.

OK, maybe it's not my role to play umpire, but it seems to me that whatever may divide us in terms of math, or interpretation of the math, we all want to know why Kerry isn't president, and we all grieve that he isn't (because he damn well ought to have been).

So let's abandon the tennis thing, and figure out how to play on the same side.

First rule: we stick to the arguments.
Second rule: if we don't understand an argument, we ask for clarification.
Third rule: we play nice (and that includes incorporeal participants).

OK?

Maybe a clean thread would be nice, back home. After a timeout, I'll start one.