There isn't one.
Indeed there isn't.
Therefore, hopefully we will not get any silly little people posting "back on topic anyone".
Agreed - but then I'd already given my view of the thread earlier.
Sorry to disappoint Bob (and any other like-minded members), but Thal and I are in full agreement here.
As for us "arguing", I prefer to say that we discuss matters from time to time and, when our views differ views, that fact inevitably becomes obvious; this place is, however, supposed to be a discussion forum, so such exchanges are surely far from inappropriate in principle, even if, on occasion, transfer to a new thread might seem a good idea if and when any such discussion appears to be leading away from the original thread topic and on to another one.
As for us "taking over a thread", there is no way in which we can ensure that this occurs (even if either of us wished to, which I don't and I've no reason to assume Thal does either), since it's up to each member to contribute to any thread as and when he/she wishes, so our "taking over" of a thread will occur only if we continue to contribute to it alone for a time; in other words, a problem (if indeed it is one) not of our making...
To suggest that engaging in discussion represents a "religion" seems to evidence little understanding of discussion and even less of religion; for the avoidance of doubt, I should perhaps add that it is also pretty obvious from various of Thal's and my past posts that we are neither of us subscribers to any religion or followers/members of any religious order.
Thal often has useful things to say and, even when I disagree fundamentally with some of them, he has a right to say them which, in true Voltairean fashion, I will defend to the last; it is better if such exchanges remain civil in tone but, even when Thal might be thought to transgress in this regard, one senses that his tongue is fairly firmly in at least one of his cheeks (not in his "bollox", as that would in any case require rather more contortionist skills than he needs to have)...
He also has a fascinating and voluminous library of music (with an evident speciality in early 19th century Romantic rarities) from which he has on many occasions posted items that would be hard, if not impossible, to obtain elsewhere.
He also has a sense of humour which is welcome but which seems none too obviously to be shared by everyone here.
So - there you have it...
Best,
Alistair
Topic: Thalbergmad and Ahinton's room