I am unable to reply to the community help thread - my own thread. I posted a question to the community, I received 2 responses, but my replies back just bounce.

You can't email Turbo Tax or email back for the replies.  You need to add on to your original post to reply.  Your original post is here,

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/taxes/discussion/although-we-are-filing-jointly-i-am-forced-to-answer-what-if-daughter-s-name-lived-with-both-parents/00/3434486 

Thank you.   i keep trying to find my original post on the site to try a web-based reply but was unable to.   Your link worked and i was able to reply (and to you too!). 

Hi VolvoGirl

I'm trying to understand why the "reply" control is sometime present (or not) on various discussion threads on ttlc.intuit.com/community/.... 

For example, "reply" is present on this thread, but not on this one?

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/retirement/discussion/re-what-is-the-proper-way-to-adjust-the-cost-basis-for-the-slv-gld-etfs-that-are-structured-as/01/2277556/highlight/true#M153155

Is the tiny little padlock symbol in the upper RH corner adjacent to the three vertical blue dots the difference?  Is this telling me the discussion thread is locked for replies for some reason?  If so, then why are some threads so locked?

Yes, the thread at that link has been locked, so no more replies can be posted to it. 

@tomandjerry1