Re: [Leica] Things that Jim likes and the free press

[Alan Ball <AlanBall@csi.com>]

Jim,

It is now time for Sunday family breakfast in Brussels. Your post
hereunder is tagged in my newsreader as having been posted at 19:17
yesterday, written as you were preparing for Saturday breakfast. It was
evening in Brussels, as I was getting ready to hit local nightlife, so I
did not download the Lug avalanche. That basic on-line hiatus between
worlds is one of the numerous weirdnesses of a mailing list such as this
one. People write to each other while in radically different time
environments. Some are having their second Talisker of the evening while
others are ploughing at files at work and others still are quietly
trying to get their private e-mail sorted before going to the office...

I had spent a large part of my day yesterday ruminating my anger against
your 'anti-press' post, while strolling down town with my wife and
daughter. I had also accidently met Lugger Francisco on the hunt for 2nd
hand treasures (wonder if he found anything). Meanwhile you were
sleeping, getting ready to post the warm mail hereunder.

I wonder how many disagreeable threads  become in fact disagreeable
because of such time warps, with their delayed time bombs and thread
revivals...

Anyway, this time I sympathise with your mail and its tone. On the topic
that started this, we seem to agree on one essential point: the
individual news viewer or reader has the responsibility of constantly
using his/her education and criticism capacity when in the process of
getting informed. 

Where we disagree is that I see pluralism of sources as better tools in
doing that than retreating behind musical comedy videotapes: the free
press needs free thinkers. And vice-versa.

Alan

Jim Brick wrote:
> 
> My family
> 
> You LUGgers
> 
> Honesty
> 
> Forthrightness
> 
> Leicas and photography
> 
> I would never insult a single one of you. Nothing I have said or ever will
> say is directed as a personal attack on any of you. Why would I do this? I
> wouldn't!
> 
> People should be responsible for their actions.
> 
> There are as many viewpoints about worldly matters as there are people. I
> would not expect everyone to share my view. And I probably do not share
> your view.
> 
> I like R cameras first, M cameras second. Many of you cannot fathom this.
> 
> I think the news mega-behemoth is out of control and self serving. Many of
> you cannot fathom this.
> 
> When I express my view, it is just that. My view.
> 
> The path one takes through life, builds into one, life's impressions.
> 
> I didn't take the same path that you took.
> 
> The word paranoid has been used. This is actually not true. The correct
> word is cautious.
> 
> Cautious in that the system is not stable. All aspects are self serving.
> 
> Remember Richard Jewel?
> 
> I wonder if he ever got his life back after being tried, convicted, and
> hung until dead, by both the government agencies and the news media. Can
> you imagine this being you?
> 
> Don't throw caution to the wind.
> 
> Basically, I like to do things with my family. I like talking to you on the
> LUG. I like Leica and Linhof cameras. I like taking pictures. I like
> peeling paint (sorry Ted) and old barns. Autumn leaves and seascapes. I
> like silky creeks and mossy rocks. Ripples in the desert sand. I like
> answering questions and will dig eternally to find the correct answer. I
> like helping people. I like teaching workshops.
> 
> And I like Saturday morning breakfasts with my wife and friends. Which is
> where I'm headed right now. So until much later...
> 
> Jim