3rd September 2003, 2:50 PM
So you really DO have some strange idea that I'm somehow using some line as a defense. Look, whatever you might think, forget it. As I've said before on the many times I've had to point out I was joking (though these days I make it a lot more apparent that I am), it's all very obviously a joke. You just don't seem to be able to see it. Now, maybe as a result of not being able to see it for what it is you defend yourself by assuming it's all me just lying or whatever, but that's hardly the case. It's just not getting a joke, a misunderstanding. You seem to have held this thing against me for a long time since it's been a long time since such a misunderstanding like what you are talking about has taken place. I humbly request you drop it and any anger you might have. Come on now, be reasonable.
"On two occasions, I have been asked [by members of Parliament], 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?' I am not able to rightly apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question." ~ Charles Babbage (1791-1871)