pynchon-l-digest V2 #2194

[The Great Quail]

Barbara writes,

>it's no
>wonder he'd [Quail] be losing confidence in the whole 'insane' endeavor.

I do not think the whole endeavor is insane. But I do think the 
bombing has become excessive, and should be halted for, at the very 
least, a review.

>Even here on the
>list.  I think it's an encouraging sign. Quail's starting to turn; shit,
>even Jbor thinks there should be a halt on the bombing.

Well, believe it or not, we are not the bloodthirsty demons we get 
painted out to be. And by the way, this is *not* like Vietnam, in 
that I still think this is a *just* war. I am beginning to think we 
should carry it out differently, that's all.

>Well, hell, there is still a bright side.  At least we'll rid the world of
>the barbarous Taliban who skin their victims and bathe in their blood (all
>six of them) before prayers.

Barbara, you know, you can still be against the war and yet believe 
that the Taliban are reprehensible.

>Quail, I'm a little disappointed you don't read Doug's news.

I said, I do not read all his news. I can't imagine that anyone but 
you actually reads every forward he sends! I for one don't even have 
the time.

>Are you
>sheltering your mind because you think it will be too painful to
>acknowledge?  Or is it just pure spite for Doug that you don't read his
>news?  Or is it some other reason I'm not imaginative enough to come up
>with?

Uh.... First of all, there's a hell of a lot of reading material sent 
along by Mr. Millison. And second of all, I choose not to read some 
of it because I recognize the sources as being propaganda. (Would you 
read everything that Henry Kissinger sent to the List?) Third of all, 
a few tangential topics don't interest me. And lastly, I didn't sign 
on this List to read Doug's self-appointed newsletters cover to 
cover. I will gladly argue things Doug says in his own posts, but 
when he hides behind a wall of links, I feel no such obligation.

>Regardless, if you haven't read any of his stuff--which really isn't
>his at all--I'm not sure how wise it is to take issue with him for posting
>it. How can one criticize what they don't read?

Damn, Barbara, do you roll up Doug's print-outs and smoke them? You 
are starting to do the same sort of half-listening and distortion he 
does! What influence does this man have on you? (1) I never said I 
don't read everything, (2) you are right, it's not HIS, and he has no 
legitimacy to claim them as HIS comments, (3) He can post whatever he 
wants, my issue is with him expecting us to read it all if we want to 
know his "true" opinions. and (4) I never made any claims to be able 
to criticize something I have not read.

Come on, Barbara, keep thinking critically. About Doug, too.

--Quail