>> On Dec 7, 2010, Craig Hancock wrote to ATEG:

>> "Like many on the list, I find discussions with Brad unpleasant and unproductive."

 

>> "We should be able to post without fear of attack."

 

Craig,

 

I presume you want that second line to apply to you but not apply to me, is that it? It's OK to attack Brad but not OK to attack Craig?

 

I asked you a dozen times in a dozen different ways to define the past perfect -- just tell me what it is we're talking about. I imagined then that you didn't tell me because you couldn't and I think now you still don't tell me because you can't. What other reasonable conclusion is there? Prove me wrong if you can. Let's see it.

 

You say you want the literature surveyed. Well, I <have surveyed> surveyed the literature and "definitions" are either non-existent or so varied it won't help you to try to look it up. But please feel free to try. Mine is an "open book" question? Just tell me what it is. Get all the help you like.

 

"Look at page 80", "Look at page 80", "Look at page 80", you cried. I invite all your collegial colleagues whom you want to feel free to come to conclusions different than your own to look at page 80 of "Meaning-Based Grammar" and see if there is a definition there. Tell them if they can find a definition on page 80, tear out the page and send it to me. I'll eat it.

 

C'mon, everyone. Show me to the promised definition on page 80.

 

.brad.11dec10.