From: dyer@spdcc.com (Steve Dyer)
Newsgroups: soc.motss
Subject: Re: Introduction
Date: 20 Aug 92 05:47:54 GMT
Organization: S.P. Dyer Computer Consulting, Cambridge MA

In article <1992Aug19.134931.592@fig.citib.com> glp@fig.citib.com (Greg Parkinson) writes:
>Lovegod, affected by Rob Bernardo's death and wanting
>to reach out to other people in this newsgroup, posts
>a message which might have been a little naive in 
>its presentation.  He gets a "how nice for you"
>response.  It was undeserved and unfeeling.

Yeah, I think that's been said a few times by now.  Hey, it was sharper
than I'd go for, but in the big scheme of things it seemed rather
mild.  Or, as Jess would put it: "tart".  Let's just say I've seen a
lot worse from other people who never receive any comeuppance.

>|> >Because bitterness and blase cruelty are ugly.  
>|> Oh, please.  Arne's comments were about the mildest form of
>|> "cruelty" I can imagine.  It's preposterous to describe them
>|> with these words.
>Steve, you've proven you have a singular idea of
>what an appropriate response is to someone who posts
>something personal. 

Greg, that was underserved and unfeeling, but I forgive you because
we're dear friends.  Actually, this is proof you can be insulted by
something even when you don't have the first idea of what the person
means.  What *are* you referring to?  Hey, I didn't say that Arne's
comment was "appropriate" (I refuse to be the arbiter of content even
as it's thrust (unggh), thrust (ahh) upon me), I said that it didn't
strike me as horrible as it's being described now.

>|> >Arne, you're a smart, witty, worldly person.
>|> >I don't understand why you find it necessary 
>|> >to be so toxic to people who really don't deserve it.

Did you say "toxic"?  Not the t-word.  Next we'll be hearing the
r-word.  And I DON'T want to talk to your inner child.

>|> I think you have an Arne-bug up your butt, Greg.
>Maybe I do, but I don't think it's just me.  He posts
>enough to influence the overall feeling of soc.motss,
>and the feeling (for me, at least) is not a good one.

I think you have an Arne-bug up your butt, Greg.

You're talking as if this quip from Arne somehow
characterizes his postings in general, and that's
both manifestly unfair and an outright distortion.
What is it, Greg?  The references to Hollywood and
Broadway stars?  The quick wit?  I think Arne posts
enough to influence the overall feeling of soc.motss
and I think it's wonderful.  I always make a point
of reading his articles, and I'm rarely disappointed.
I'm glad he is someone with enough character and
presence of mind to hear these comments and know
what to do with them (which is, I'd guess, extract
whatever's good from them and dismiss the rest.)

>That's fine, and I decided to not respond to things
>he wrote that I didn't like - but one of important
>functions of this newsgroup is to support our own.
>To be mean to someone for sport because they haven't
>your flair or because they are clumsy with how they
>express themselves - that I don't want to sit back and let go by. 

I can't disagree with this sentiment, speaking generally.  I'd just
like to know what you want to get out of this discussion.  Arne's
head?

>It makes me angry that among the (large n) number
>of people who read soc.motss there are now some 
>people who have been trying to screw up the courage 
>to post, to talk to other gay people, other lesbians, 
>and now maybe won't - because they see soc.motss as
>not just an angry place, or a place with high
>standards of thought (and grammar), but a
>mean and unfriendly place.

I think you're about 6 years too late.

Fer Christ's sakes, Donald/Lovegod isn't even a newbie here.
He posts like clockwork every six months or so.  I just wish
he'd get over the aching youth/"I am AfroPomoHomo see me roar"
act, and decide to say something intelligent in addition to that.

>Right, they should just get over it, get out of the kitchen if you
>can't stand the heat, this is Usenet and not the real world, blah,
>blah, blah.  I'm only responsible for what *I* post and what I
>contribute to this newsgroup, and I like see postings from people
>saying "I'm just coming out and I've learned a lot here and I just told
>my best friend and everything is getting better."  It may not be
>sophisticated or witty, but it makes me feel good.  If that means I
>have a bug up my ass then I guess the description fits.

Ah, I see.  References to Ethel Merman are keeping people from
coming out.  Greg, have you met Sargon the Butch, yet?

-- 
Steve Dyer
dyer@ursa-major.spdcc.com aka {ima,harvard,rayssd,linus,m2c}!spdcc!dyer