yup threads do get off track and back on track then off track again.
sometimes it makes sense to just leave a thread alone... other times i'll say something. or just delete it.
My personal feeling is:
1. Currently it is winter here in this hemisphere, people are in school, it's cold, some just spent $$$ on Xmas and aren't modding or even driving their cars right now. So the off topic section is going to be flooded with junk.
2. It's human nature to expand on a topic between a few people with different opinions. Now try a conversation between thousands of people at a time.
3. It's up to the members to KEEP things on topic. We mods only really step in when we have to. That's like asking cops to stop bank robbers... before they rob the bank.
You have to control what you post. We just monitor it and adjust if need be. We're nobodies parents.
4. I'm doing my best to keep "Off topic"... well... "On topic"
(that truly is as crazy as it sound- but that's what we are all asking for.