First and foremost, this is an apology. Specifically to Map, Eugene, Tarun and Ravish, whom have been my most common targets. But also to folks like Jim Yingst, whom I have broadsided on occasion. And even though Jim and I hashed things out privately, he's still on the list of people I've offended. There are probably others whom I don't remember, but the sentiments are still there.
This apology is in reference to what I consider uncivil behavior. I think that a good percentage of my comments here on MD have, despite the sometimes heated nature of the conversation, been civil.
Hoewever, some have not. And there is no call for that. There is no call for in any way demeaning another person. Snide remarks, even with smileys, direct attacks, avoiding the issue to nitpick the details, all of these are inappropriate and many are spelled out in the forum itself. Even if the conversation is of overriding importance - in fact, ESPECIALLY when the conversation is that important - I need to take care to treat the other participants with respect. To not do so is to demean them, myself, and even the very concepts which I am trying to defend. I have in recent weeks not adhered to this principle; I have sometimes stooped to questionable behavior in my remarks. For that I apologize. I do not like the person I see behind those comments, and do not wish to continue down that path.
The explanation is that I find my feelings on certain topics to be deep enough, through decades of introspection, that they are almost inviolable. My love of my country - or more precisely, the ideals for which it stands - are one of those inviolable aspects. And since I am unlikely to change my views on this matter, continued debate with those on the other side equally unlikely to change their views is unlikely to be productive. Thus, I am planning to continue my policy of staying out of certain conversations (no matter how much I want to say something
). In any event, I will avoid those controversies which make me, in my wife's words, "type mad". That's actually sort of an amusing phrase - my wife can actually tell when I'm typing something in the heat of the moment, because my typing is faster and much more forceful (and I probably utter an epithet or two
). So, from now on I will avoid conversations wherein I type mad
.
So there it is: I apologize for being uncivil. I explained as best as I could why certain conversations are more likely to make me that way. That doesn't in any way relieve me of the responsibility for those remarks, and I will try to avoid doing so in the future, even if it means avoiding those topics.
Peace, everyone!
Joe
[ October 30, 2003: Message edited by: Joe Pluta ]