Dan... if people were smart enough to begin reading at the BEGINNING of the thread, there would be no doubt regarding the topic and content of the thread. If we jump into the middle of of it, we will be subject to whatever editting, chopping and tinkering that any number of previous posters may have inflicted on previous messages... making whatever you have decided to read dubious as for value, intent, context and content.
In an ideal world (one where people read the whole sentence and actually followed the conversation) there would be no need for quoting any previous messages. Logical flow? I see little logic displayed by most UseNet posters to begin with... especially those that come up with lame excuses for top posting destroying "logical flow" . If you started reading the thread from the beginning, you would have a good undertsanding what the thread was about, you would be aware of any statements, misunderstandings or other conditions that generated any particular reply...
But you young'uns can be particularly lazy and prefer to have things handed to you so that you can react in wierd and wonderful ways.
Look at it this way.... I think you are a wiener.....
But who the f*ck am I?
Should it really matter to YOU that I think you are a wiener?
To you, I am nobody... you don't know me and I don't know you (somehow, I find that comforting).... Deal with it, Princess.... nobody promised that you would be wise.
Now.... you are going to have to decide if THIS is top posted or not....
Correct answer is yes, it was top posted before I deleted the rest of the crap you should have already read.....
Explain that to me.... wiener....