various goodbyes--another word from our sponsor

[Vaska Tumir]

Chris, I don't know why I get on your nerves quite this much: don't recall
ever sending anything nasty, snide, or mean-spirited about you either to the
list or to you privately.  I do have the copies of those messages you
characterize as "insensitive, unresponsive, and contentious."  Others don't
know their contents or what I was responding to.  See what ugly things those
private bickerings can and do create on the list itself.  They are quite
unnecessary -- and harmful.

I also want to thank everyone who's been a friend to me on this list, and
there are many of both sexes -- which is why I'm here to stay.  Otherwise, I
could be reading Pynchon and thinking of his work in perfectly splendid
solitude -- but without half the fun and education being on this list gives
me; the enjoyment and the knowledge various shared by so many people 'round
these parts.  

Vaska


>From Chris:
>Vaska, I posted that message publicly because I took a few days to
>reconsider my own situation and found that taking a breather helped. 
>Neither the message nor the advice was directed specifically towards you,
>though you may benefit from both. While I could have done much to handle
>our off-list exchange better, I must say that you were as insensitive,
>unresponsive, and contentious then as you are here and now.  As you
>usually are on this list.  It would help things considerably if you took
>a minute to walk around in another person's shoes, as they say. 
>
>I really hope I don't seem self-righteous to anyone now.  My last message
>and this one are a sincere attempt to help scale down the fireworks.  It
>is not part of a manipulation.  My off-list messages to you were simply
>off-list messages.  They were not the dread machinations of an attempt to
>repress what rightly belongs in the consciousness of the screen.  That
>nasty flame about "electronic hairpulling" made me cry, for goodness
>sake, and despite a reputation for being "out there," I can also be quite
>discreet.  As far as I understand list etiquette, it is inappropriate to
>engage in extended and  heated personal exchanges on-list.  That's all. 
>This isn't therapy, though some of us may need it.  I wrote to you
>off-list in a vain attempt to explain myself, to express my anger, and to
>ask for your forbearance.  No plots, no games.
>
>My attempt was as pointless then as it is now, as you view me as some
>kind of nut.  I won't be so unkind as to repeat publicly what I think of
>you, but I think you've made yourself clear to everyone.  I'll simply
>repeat my request that you leave me alone.  Having you go away entirely
>would be lovely, as it seems this is the way you intend to behave on an
>on-going basis,  but it's entirely too much to hope for.
>
>Chris
>