Wow, what a tizzy we're all in over humor and money! I'd like to throw
in a few cents' worth and then be on my merry way.

First, I have to comment on the herb ban. Frankly, I'm all for it. I
don't think that shopowners should be stopped from selling what reserves
they have, but as far as suppliers ceasing the distribution of herbs, go
for it. Do it. I was in the thick of the fires along with several
others, and I can't tell you how many times I got scorched as I went
from area to area, working diligently to rid the forest of that
destructive force. Most of those that are accustomed to restocking their
herb supply on a regular basis kept themselves busy with other things
instead of helping save the forests and the herbs contained within.
(Note that I said "most" and not "all.") Turc Silverain got slain
because, HEAVEN FORBID, he went to the Garden of Rapture to put out a
fire there.

If you think it's all about money, maybe you're just one of the ones
that aren't profiting from it, so you have to assume that just because
YOU aren't making any money, it means the ban HAS to be profiting those
that set it up. Newsflash to those with this mentality, and those that
think the ban is a horrible idea: the herbs that you so cherish have
perished in the fires. It will take time to regrow them. If those that
can harvest sold what they have from previous harvests, there would be
serious over-harvesting when the herbs start growing again. That would
throw us into a dead-end cycle that would only end up hurting the
forests more, and creating an impossibly high demand for otherwise
common herbs.

And really, wouldn't you rather have a healthy forest for our harvesters
to use, rather than scrambling to scratch a meager portion and hope it
lasts? Just think the whole thing through and look at it from both sides
before you go flapping your gums with ill words.

Now, humor. Please note that this is a *public* board. Those of us with
a sense of humor are part of the public, like it or not. You don't like
the humor? Fine. Don't laugh. We're not asking you to laugh if you don't
find it humorous. And, as it was so exquisitely pointed out, it's a
JOKE. No seriousness meant in it at all. You think it demeans the
organization the person represents? Fine. How about if we just use ooc
examples instead of ic examples? Would it be any funnier or less funny?
Absolutely not. A joke is meant to inspire humor in others. And, as
anyone who frequently tells jokes will tell you, not every joke will
reach every body (and yes, I made those separate words on purpose).

So, if you don't like the joke, that's fine. Just don't come on here
griping about it, because the rest of us are too busy laughing to really
give half a flip. To those that have told jokes or plan to - more power
to you! Let's hear 'em. I'm not saying flood the boards, now. I just
mean, if the mood strikes and you wanna share, go ahead. I don't mind
'em. And the ones I don't like get filed away in the "Jokes I Don't
Like" folder.

And that's where I'll shutup. If you have retorts, post 'em or not. I
don't care. I'll be busy coming up with more jokes and praying to the
gods that the forests heal themselves quickly so we can get on with the
business of harvesting herbs for those that actually care enough to help
when it's needed.

Thanks.

Naemanee

Penned by my hand on the 21st of Severin, in the year 163 MA.