Gender language

[Andrew Dinn]

Steven Maas writes:

> I was impolite in my wording, and for that I wish to aplogize to Ms.
> Padgett, who I don't really think is a censor. 

> Beyond that I ain't sure I unnerstan Mr. Dinn's reply, no doubt cuz a my
> inferior Ammurican intelligence.  It sounds as if Mr. Dinn is dismissing
> censorship (whether just on the list or in general, I don't know) as a
> valid concern because it's a hot-button issue.  I think the presense or
> absence of hot-buttonness is irrelevant to the importance of an issue. 

No, it's not your `inferior Ammurican intelligence' (who he?). And you
are sadly correct in your observation that hot-buttonness has little
or no bearing on the importance of an issue. But the presence or
absence of censorship is somewhat germane to a claim that someone is
acting as a censor. Exactly how is Penny's polite request to take a
discussion which she does not consider directly related to the nominal
subject of the list `censorship'? (note that I am saying nothing about
whether her request is justified). If Penny were in a position to stop
you writing to the list on this subject and had exercised that power
you might have a point (although, even then there are forums and
forums). As it is you seem only to be in possession of a hot-button.

> Have fun on your holiday, Mr. Dinn, and thanks for all of your hard
> work on the list.

Hard work is no excuse for (my) rudeness. Wanting to shake your brain
up a bit is all I have to offer by way of excuse. Not very impressive,
is it? Next time I'll go for the slow and painful explanation straight
away. My apologies if you failed to find the length of my piece of
string.


Andrew Dinn
-----------
And though Earthliness forget you,
To the stilled Earth say:  I flow.
To the rushing water speak:  I am.