From: 11CWATT@GALLUA.BITNET (Keith Watt - Gallaudet Dept. of Education)
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.deaf-l
Subject: Some concerns about the current incarnation of the list
Date: 17 Oct 92 02:17:16 GMT
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Hello everyone -

   Some of the "old timers" remember mine and Lew's famous arguments on the
list maybe a year or so ago.  At that time, I believe I implied that Lew's
arguments were often rude and generally contained not a shred of
professionalism or even common courtesy.


Lew, I retract that statement.


Folks, to be frank, I've returned to this list after being away almost a
year and I'm embarassed I've recommended it to friends in the deaf-related
fields.  While it is true that almost no one agreed with anyone else in the
discussion, we maintained (generally) an attitude of professionalism and
respect for the other's opinion.  In short, we debated - not flamed.  And
under no circumstances did we *ever* resort to foul language and
name-calling.  If you could cleverly imply you thought your worthy opponent
was an idiot without actually saying it (which shows true skill in the
art), that was one thing, but we always tried to maintain respect for the other
person.  This is not a schoolyard.  We are expected to behave as
professionals, whether you happen to be in a profession (or studying
towards a profession) related to deafness or not.  If (as did happen) you
got out of line, you apologized for it.  But I have to say "out of line"
was a lot more tame than the current incarnation of the list.


What embarassses me even further is that, as most of you know, I'm "on the
side" issues-wise of some of the people who have been the worst.  As has
been said before, we do nothing to futher our argument, power, or position
by behaving like schoolchildren.  I will not mention anyone specifically, and
the flames have come from people not quoted here as well.  These are just some
samples that have come across the net *today*:


>Maybe you should check
>under the rug to see if your brain is there.  When will you and your
>people finally get up from your ass and look under the rug?

>If you still can't get it, you will be automatically labelled
>"LISTEN-IMPAIRED"; Therefore, you are permanently DISABLED!!!!!! ;-)

>       THE ONLY GODDAMNED POST I MADE ON THE SUBJECT WAS MY
>DEFINITION ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 'DISABLED' AND 'HANDICAPPED'!!!!
>GO READ IT! JEEEEEZUS!

>I just wanted to make sure I understood what you were (ineptly) trying to
>say.

>       And yes, that is a really stupid woman.

>       Yeah, but no one uses it ["dumb"] anymore. If only people around you are
>using it, maybe there's a real good reason....


Read the above, folks.  Does this strike you as professional behavior?

Please consider that the purpose of this list is for discussion, debate,
and the presentation of new ideas.  It is not for name-calling and flaming.
Roy has already spoken out on this issue, but I don't see much change.
Again, I'll echo his comments:  if you wish to make a personal attack, send
email to the person direct.  That is your right and privilege.  You are,
after all, entitled to your opinion.  But Deaf-L - formerly one of the most
respected lists on BITNET - is not the place for it.

Please consider this carefully and let's get back to true debate.

Take care all..
Keith

===============================================================================
Keith Watt                              |
Gallaudet University                    | "Exit, pursued by a bear."
Department of Education                 |     Stage direction in Shakespeare's
                                        |     _The Winter's Tale_ (1611)
BITNET:                                 |
11CWATT@GALLUA.BITNET                   |
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