Why aren't colons optional?

[Courageous]

>> One has to wonder what your actual motivation is in making this observation.
>> Could it be an ad-hominem in disguise? *LOL*
>
>Maybe it's the other way round. Why did you make your observations about those
>people you call "folks in an ivory tower"?

That information has already been communicated in the thread: it
was to suggest a disconnect between the individuals in question,
whoever they happen to be, and how language is actually used by
the people. I certainly never _attacked_ their language capabilites.

C//