(Really rip your face off) (Opps!!!)

[Peter Giordano]

In a message about an hour ago I said:
>Before I comment on the below I need to correct something -
>In a previous message I referred to being threatened with having
>my face ripped off - This was in a private email from the ifc - 
>Later, in a bogus apology to me on the list he or she re-printed
>the private message - However, in an interesting editorial
>decision the ifc decided not to share the first paragraph of that
>message with the list - This editorial decision speaks volumes
>about the ethics of the ifc - I am reproducing the paragraph 
>below - Keep in mind that this message, like all internet
>messages should be archived both at my server and the
>ifc's so if he or she trys to deny this it the veracity can
>be proven:
>
>On Wed, 30 Apr 97 18:19:35 CDT the ifc said to
>me in a private email message:
>
>>The only reason I am answering your latest stupid message is that I am
>>in a bad mood and I feel like dumping on someone.  You're elected , Giordano.
>>Just be happy I don't do it in public where I'd be showing off and really
>>rip your face off.

Now I say:

Somebody was kind enough just now to point out that I made
a factual error - The line about ripping my face off did appear
in the public message - So part of my comment is now
rendered (in Washington speak) inoperative - Sorry 'bout
that - There is still the question of why somebody would
threaten to "rip off" the face of a complete stranger - What
does this mean anyway - Is it like in THE SILENCE OF
THE LAMBS?  Is it a metaphor? Who knows - I will now
withdraw to wipe the virtual egg off my face (if I can still
find my face)

P.S.  Before the ifc goes ballistic he or she might want to
consider that it is probably far worse to threaten a violent
act against some one than for some one to make an error
in describing an email message - But that's not for me to
judge

Peter Giordano
Williams College
Williamstown, MA