Well, Paddy, if your comment was meant as irony you have my apology. It, taken at face value, did not read that way. Your words implied the supportive statements of the rest of the posters were pro forma, shallow, and insincere.

We Yanks do utilize irony, but so much of irony, innuendo, etc., depend upon visual clues from the speaker that the true intent is often lost online. Yours came across as just insulting, IMO.

well janis had no trouble catching the irony... I guess we indeed are ironically challenged unless janis were being ironic?

I am from Oklahoma and I got the irony.

Ain't a lot of irony in northern Michigan I guess . . .:?

What a po-faced bunch.
Of course, he was being ironic.
It didn't occur to me for a moment that he wasn't.
Anyway, Barnaby, it's good that your human has returned. Typing must be difficult without opposable thumbs.

Hmm, I just read this thread. I was first appalled about Ira, then relieved about Ira, then laughed out loud at Padraig's comment.

I live in Oklahoma too...

Maybe it's more like those who saw the irony immediately are those who are less likely to assume ill intentions?

Whatever! Glad you're back Ira! Now off to find those Sicily photos.

Good grief! An ironic statement taken at face value does not read that way. That's what makes it ironic.

I too just read this thread. At first I couldn't believe that such an informative poster could be ousted when so many nasty posters were still in the mix. Then I read about ira's reinstatement with hope for the future of the Fodorites.

Anyway, glad you're back ira----the information you post is always interesting and helpful.

phieaglefan, while I was raised in Oklahoma I am now in exile in far south Texas...but I go back as often as possible. Husband, children and grandchildren keep me tethered here. Here's a little secret not many know...I was born in California, one of the first of the War Babies.

Hi all,

With no intention of being ironic, sardonic or satirical:

What was on sale no longer matters as it is no longer on sale.

Barnaby did not type most of what he wrote. His friend Archie did most of it. Some part of his posts he was able to do on his own using the virtual keypad on my new tablet.

Americans do not do irony very well because, as noted, they rely on visual signs to a great extent.

This, IMO, is due to the gradual loss of the capacity to read and write over the last 60 years.

I think that if "The Mikado" was introduced to the usual suspects they would not realize that it was a satire.

((I))

BTW,

Barnaby says that the keys on the virtual keyboard are too small, making it especially difficult for Maine Coon cats.

He believes this to be the result of the usual anthropocentric thinking of humans.

((I))

I keep Clyde McCoy (our MC) off our keyboards (more used to the wahwah peddle of course)

Ain't a lot of irony in northern Michigan I guess>

naw the iron ore ran out years ago - well most of it anyway.

To get one you have to know http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clyde_McCoy and that Maines "talk" to their servants either chirrup or wahwah

I have to admit to being a little rusty with my irony, ironic though that may be. Maybe I should take some irony pills?

Yes, do - Irony pills are better for you than the white flat emulsion you chug . . .

Well I indeed do like to paint the town!