def start_thread(author, subject, comment=None):
<EOL>thread_uid = uid()<EOL>content.hmset(build_key(THREAD_KEY, thread_uid), {<EOL>'<STR_LIT>': author,<EOL>'<STR_LIT>': subject,<EOL>'<STR_LIT>': time.time(),<EOL>})<EOL>links.lpush(build_key(THREADS_KEY), thread_uid)<EOL>if comment:<EOL><INDENT>add_comment(thread_uid, author, comment)<EOL><DEDENT>return True<EOL>
Start new thread with or without comment.

    :param author: Thread author.
    :param subject: Thread subject.
    :param comment: Text for first comment if any.