We now have a jokes section?

[Maureen K Clifford]

or the hearing skills of Europeans

[keats]

Agreed Marty. I was a bit taken back when I saw the jokes section here, and full of jokes which need to be handled carefully as they are antiques, as well as political links from Parties which instantly hit the alarm bells. I know I'm nuts, that's just me, but I do love my poetry and at least believe that people should be writing poetry. Regular contributors here, Neville and yourself for example, are great examples of intelligent arguments backed up with a lighthearted tone that makes the posts a pleasure to read as well as thought provoking. A vehicle for old jokes??? No, I think not. A platform for politics?? Also I believe not. Poetry?? Well even free-verse has more relevance here than a joke section.

Just my one bobs worth (a bit broke this week)

Neil

[Neville Briggs]

I have seen a few of the " big name " bush poets perform and typically they will use a few jokes as banter to break the poetry reciting.

I agree that trying to crack jokes can be dangerous if one is not careful. Many a public figure has come to grief from a " joke " that has backfired.

But I doubt if a few jokes will sink the ship of bush poetry. As long as they are just a few and infrequent. You won't have any more from me for a long time, that's all I know
And so what if someone thinks they are corny or " lame " , it's only a small diversion.

By the way, family photos, accounts of personal adventures and in-joke exchanges are not strictly bush poetry work, but we enjoy them as part of our mateship ritual.


Maureen makes an effort to put up suggestions for homework each month, so if anybody is worried about lack of poetic participation, there is opportunity in the homework section to do something that doesn't have to be a world beater.

[manfredvijars]

JOKE SECTION ...

Yep, I noticed a few jokes were being posted in other sections ...

I don't like to censor or ban (anything) so Voilaaa ...

This is YOUR Forum, just say the word and I'll 'can' that section ...

[Maureen K Clifford]

I can take it or leave it Mannie - we are all responsible folks here I think and most have a sense of humour but can't speak for those outside of our group. I, like Neville saw it as a way of sharing with mates - but I guess it could get out of hand size wise....so you are the boss...whatever you do is fine with me.

Cheers
Maureen

[keats]

I have seen a few of the " big name " bush poets perform and typically they will use a few jokes as banter to break the poetry reciting.

I agree that trying to crack jokes can be dangerous if one is not careful. Many a public figure has come to grief from a " joke " that has backfired.

Exactly right Neville, although I am not sure what a 'big name' bush poet is. I am a writer of Aussie Comic Verse and have never been a Bush Poet by definition, so I have always had a percentage of Stand-Up in my shows. I keep away from the old ones, and those that can easily offend. It is as important and as skilful as delivering the poetry itself. If you have the slightest hesitation in delivering a comic spiel within a certain setting, avoid it.

My comment earlier was more to reflect that the jokes being put on these sites are the same old ones that have been kicking around the pubs and the internet for many many years now. Old jokes with telegraphed punch-lines.

But some enjoy it, so it's not doing any harm I suppose. If people do not want to read them, then it's pretty easy to avoid that section at the bottom.

Yours in good spirits

Neil

[william williams]

Marty, Keats, Maureen, Manfred, Neville. And many others, including this old fella.
We all have valid points but there is only ONE ABPA with it's own aims and objectives.
We have this forum in which to use. There is but one place where family pictures should be shown babies etc, jokes and some, are rather close to the suggestive bone and that place is CHIT CHAT where young eyes have no access only members that is where our personal lives are, it was given to use just for that reason so let us use it.

ALL THE REST OF THE FORUM IS THERE FOR WHAT THAT SECTION SAYS
So let us use the bloody thing as they should be used

MANFRED GET RID OF THE JOKE SECTION AND MAKE US USE THE SECTIONS AS THEY SHOULD BE USED INSTEAD OF ALL THIS ADHOCK BULL DUNG where every one goes where ever they wish

BILL WILLIAMS

[Heather]

The trouble is Marty that I feel I have to read them to vet them and quite often they just aren't funny or are very old jokes i have heard a dozen times. A joke now and again is fine but I think it is a poetry site first and foremost. I have deleted one joke in the past where i thought language was a problem. I think the jokes were overtaking the chit chat section so Manfred has put them in a separate area and so you don't have to read them.

That's my two bobs worth!

Heather

[Neville Briggs]

The point about being on public display is a valid point. And this is the world wide web
Something to keep in mind.

It appears that Marty's thinking on this issue is mainly to do with what we might call manners.
Perhaps we should all remember that we agreed to a standard of manners when we joined the forum,.. it is there in writing,... so maybe in anything that we present here we should try and keep in mind what we agreed to.

But I don't think there is much to be concerned about. Poetry is about life and life can get a bit ragged now and again, people too.

[Bob Pacey]

Not a worry either way for me i just hate those little orange thingies so i click and clear do not always read whats there.

I do rather prefer funny poems though.


Bob