Hello?

[RedBug]

Hi Cal:

Don't agree? Oh well. Having had a bit more time to reflect on it, I think
I might have just suggested that people go private if they really want to
get
personal. I see nothing constructive (and much destructive) in the kind of
"discourse" I cited. 

Of course Steely doesn't give a shit what I or others think about him. That
wasn't really my point. I think we can discuss and argue with each other
without resorting to withering personal attacks, posted to all, that are
just a verbal form of resorting to a kick in the nuts.

I realize that Diana York was no innocent party. I suppose S's post hit a
certain threshold I have, and I, oh God!, lashed back. Speaking with
passion and name-calling are not synonymous.

Hey, if it's just my problem, so be it. Just, you know, had to get it out.
My intent was not to burn Steely, just to register a protest.

RedBug

On Sat, 21 Dec 1996, Cal McInvale wrote:

> >Was I the only one who had a problem with:
> 
> Maybe. In my opinion, Diana *is* "foul-mouthed" (or more accurately, foul
> keyboarded perhaps? foul e-mailed? foul fingered?) and "smug" (though I
> don't know about the smugness of ice). Of course, these are matters of
> taste and so could be argued in a court of academia. (All Rise for the
> Honorable Stanley Fish...)
> 
> There's little doubt about her condescension toward her students, though.
> It's obvious that she views herself as some sort of Po-mo feminista Saviour
> to the poor, horribly ignorant, Southern trash Texans she educates.
> Personally, being from such a background, I find her condescension to be
> more offensive that Jeff's outbursts.
> 
> I was once long ago a victim of one of Jeff's ad hominem attacks. I just
> hurled back at him and we've since become rather good e-mail pals. I
> disagree with him radically and vociferously about some things, but I
> respect his opinions and his ability to communicate them in a passionate
> manner.
> 
> Your cry for civility smacks of censure-by-content and, I think, is
> uncalled for. I hope Jeff stays on this list and wails on, especially in
> response to hypocrites and mealy-mouthed intellectual thugs.
> 
> And as far as being perceived as an asshole, I really don't think Jeff
> gives a shit what you (or many other people, for that matter) think about
> him. He may not always be kind, but at least he's honest and forthright.
> Hell, give me an eloquent asshole over a verbally stunted nice-guy any day.
> 
> 
> 
> cal mcinvale                                             entropy specialist
> calm at tpdinc.com                                        tpd publishing
> 
> Sometimes you get the bear, sometimes the bear gets you.
> Sometimes the government gets both of you.
> 
> 
>