The first semicolon doesn't appear to conform to any of the standard usages, nor does it seem to add any benefit over a normal comma. I thought the semicolon c

The first semicolon doesn't appear to conform to any of the standard usages, nor does it seem to add any benefit over a normal comma. I thought the semicolon could replace a comma in a list of things, but you are using it to separate the intro clause? thing, like "In the end," above. > and whatever rules don't contribute to that goal may safely be tossed out Sure, but your usage here certainly isn't making things clearer.