Actually, it does, Raghu. I don't happen to have a one-track mind or anything like it. At the moment, I'm reading a book on the Magna Carta and I recently finished reading a book about 19th century sensation drama. The week before last I was camping on Cortes Island. I work in a co-op grocery store where I'm shop steward and on and on and on.
It also happens that I have a specialized expertise in a topic that is taboo. I happen to know that it is taboo because before I "had a one-track mind" I specialized in examining how particular topics come to be regarded as taboo and that is what attracted me to this one. As it happens, one of the inevitable tactics for enforcing the taboo is to ridicule those who talk about them as monomaniacs and cranks. I adopted the name, Sandwichman, in deference to this well-documented tactic. So, in effect, my moniker says to those who would suggest that I have a one track mind -- at least I have my own mind and not a blinkered and wandering in a trackless waste. But enough about me and my one track mind. Here's some puffery from the 19th century that might give you a clue about who it is that REALLY has a one track mind. *Times of London:* "Every page teems with intelligence equally curious and startling in relation to the designs of these confederated workmen, the dexterity of their machinations, and the vast extent of their power." *The Gentleman's Magazine*: "for the information which we embody in our pages, we are chiefly indebted to a pamphlet recently published, the author of which appears to be perfectly conversant with the nature and tendency of these extensive, mischievous, and misguided coalitions." *Chronicle*: "A very valuable pamphlet, the writer is fully acquainted with all the arcana of these formidable and mischievous associations. Many of his statements will make a great impression on all men of any reflection, and we earnestly recommend the perusal of the pamphlet, as calculated to be of great service at this time." *The Monthly Review*: "This is a very extraordinary exposition and must command the deepest attention of the public... We only have room for expressing our admiration of the zeal of the writer, for his success in the inquiry, and for his luminous representation of gigantic abuses, the very sight of which, under his graphic powers, will astound and produce, no doubt, *a most salutary error* in the whole British community." *British Magazine and Monthly Register of Religious and Ecclesiastical Information, Parochial History, and Documents Respecting the State of the Poor, Progress of Education, etc.*: "This pamphlet, which has been already translated into French, deserves general attention from the very curious information which its acute and industrious author has collected on a subject likely to occupy one's thoughts for several years to come." *Blackwood's* "'Were we asked,' says the excellent author of *Character, Object, and Effects of Trades' Unions,* 'to give a definition of a Trades' Union, we should say, that it was a Society whose constitution is the worst of democracies, whose power is based on outrage, whose practice is tyranny, and whose end is self-destruction." On Fri, Jul 22, 2011 at 9:52 PM, raghu <[email protected]> wrote: > On Fri, Jul 22, 2011 at 10:00 PM, Sandwichman <[email protected]> > wrote: > > But maybe that's too harsh, too. There's also the more serious matter of > > non-participation of other folks in the discussion. If there were more > > people engaging in a productive discussion, then snide remarks and > passive > > digressive aggression would be water off the back of a duck. > > > Mr. Sandwichman, > I think you have a one-track mind. Does that qualify as snide remark? > -raghu. > _______________________________________________ > pen-l mailing list > [email protected] > https://lists.csuchico.edu/mailman/listinfo/pen-l > -- Sandwichman
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