Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/07/12
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]At 08:22 PM 7/12/01 -0400, Robert Clark wrote: >Well, I forgive any transgressions he might have inadvertently made....not that >everyone (or even a few) consider(s) what he did offensive. Regardless of >someone else's interpretation of the issues, there's no need for anyone to be >rude, hostile, or petulant toward him. He's a great guy and as far as I'm >concerned...welcome here anytime. Robert You MUST be a newcomer here. For the past six years, WHENEVER someone mentions politics, there is an explosion. Some of those doing so HAVE been wonderful contributers to this List, such as Oddmund and Eric Welch. But we simply have adopted a rule here that politics are not to be discussed in this meeting of congenial souls. And so be it. Henry transgressed a rule that he was unaware existed -- and of which you, apparently, were also unaware. The reason is simple. Someone posts a relatively innocuous political comment. Someone else snaps a quick and opposing statement. And, in a matter of hours, the List becomes polarized and angry. It is better to simply understand that you don't make political commentaries on the LUG. Period. There is really no discussion beyond this -- there is a sound reason for the understanding, and all of us recognize that Henry didn't know of this understanding. The most wonderful person in the world can make a mistake, and so Henry did. The real problem with this sort of situation is that the "feel-good folks" who simply want to soothe everything over -- "oh, my, but so-and-so is SUCH a wonderful guy!" -- only end up royally hacking off the other side. Simply, it is MUCH better never to get to that position in the first place. Thus, the understanding that we do not discuss politics when we gather for our community around the LUG table. Let it die. Let's just not talk politics or the aftereffects of political discussions anymore. And, when someone DOES post a political note and someone else responds, be understanding of the wide spectrum of political thought on this List, and hold your peace. We will all benefit. And, Ted, I'm chuggin' down on Jameson's at the moment, but I'm in an Irish Revolutionary mood, so it seems appropriate: Michael Collins planned his mayhem against the crown to the sweet taste of Jameson. De Valera, the rascal, drank Guinness early in life but was known to take something stronger late in life - but never Jameson's or Bushmill's. Marc msmall@roanoke.infi.net FAX: +540/343-7315 Cha robh bąs fir gun ghrąs fir!