delayed appearance of spinner in thread so things are less jumpy

lms/static/coffee/src/discussion/views/discussion_thread_view.coffee

@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ if Backbone?
     render: ->
       @template = _.template($("#thread-template").html())
       @$el.html(@template(@model.toJSON()))
+      @$el.find(".loading").hide()
       @delegateEvents()
 
       @renderShowView()
@@ -27,7 +28,10 @@ if Backbone?
       if @responsesRequest?
         @responsesRequest.abort()
 
-    renderResponses: ->
+    renderResponses: ->      
+      setTimeout(=>
+        @$el.find(".loading").show()
+      , 200)
       @responsesRequest = DiscussionUtil.safeAjax
         url: "/courses/#{$$course_id}/discussion/forum/#{@model.get('commentable_id')}/threads/#{@model.id}"
         success: (data, textStatus, xhr) =>

lms/static/sass/_discussion.scss

@@ -1309,7 +1309,7 @@ body.discussion {
     > li {
       position: relative;
       margin: 0 -10px 30px;
-      padding: 26px 30px 30px;
+      padding: 26px 30px 20px;
       border-radius: 3px;
       border: 1px solid #b2b2b2;
       box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0, 0, 0, .15);
@@ -1573,6 +1573,7 @@ body.discussion {
   .discussion-reply-new {
     padding: 20px;
     @include clearfix;
+    @include transition(opacity .2s);
 
     h4 {
       font-size: 16px;