Organization: Ryerson Polytechnical Institute
Distribution: na
Date: Wednesday, 14 Oct 1992 12:50:33 EST
From: Linda Birmingham <ADMN8647@RyeVm.Ryerson.Ca>
Newsgroups: talk.abortion
Subject: Re: supporting allegations

In article <73350@apple.Apple.COM> bill coderre writes:
>In article <mpsz7r=@rpi.edu> James G. Keegan Jr. writes:

>|you have demonstrated that you possess no
>|personal character. when you first posted your lie,
>|a couple of people who knew it was a lie urged me to go
>|public with the posts. i disregarded their advice and
>|crafted my comments on this subject in such a way as
>|you leave you a credible out. looking back, i wish i
>|had exposed you immediately.
>|you disgust me.
>
>It used to be considered a sign of immense personal character to form
>alliances with parties one doesn't entirely agree with, so as to
>provide mutual effort for common goals.

It used to be considered a sign of immense personal character
to admit to one's mistakes particularly if the mistake maligned
another regardless of one's personal feelings.

>In the '90s, it's time to change that definition. Now to form
>alliances is a sign of personal weakness.

In the'90s, it appears that there are some who think
admitting to an error is a sign of personal weakness.

>Indeed, personal character is now marked by rapid response: in
>particular by recognizing one's so-called "allies" as in fact enemies
>the minute situations change, before they can hurt you, without any
>fettering by shreds of conscience or altruism.

Indeed, people seem to think, that it is acceptable to
disregard truth and accuracy in their quick reponses and
when the errors are pointed out, to continue to duck and
dodge behind more allegations and acts of deception
without any fettering by shreds of conscience or honesty.

Pity it all.

>Mr Keegan, clearly, is a beacon to us all.

Mr. Coderre obviously has been following this thread
since its inception, why else would he feel compelled
to comment now, and has clearly recognized the merits
of Mr. Keegan casting a light on an individual who thought
nothing of betraying the trust of not just one friend or
"ally" but of several just to pursue a personal disagreement.

Mr. Coderre may have a point in his comments about quickly
recognizing enemies in allies.  However in this case, I
think it was a sign of personal character that Mr. Keegan
gave this particular attacker the benefit of the doubt.
It has been clear that Mr. Keegan originally considered
Ms. Silverio a friend and not just an ally.  A mistake maybe,
but one many have made, particuarly anyone who has not embraced
the '90s code of behaviour.

Mr. Coderre identified another factor here. The willingness
to forfeit one's conscience to protect the ego from imagined
threats.

There is no doubt Ms. Silverio set out to attack an old ally.
In doing so she violated the privacy of members of a mailing
list. She made accusations against the motivations of anyone
who agreed with Mr. Keegan's views and when the accused denied
those accusations she showed total disregard for retracting or
supporting her statements.  Indeed she dismissed the requests
to do so with public killfiling.  She tried to claim that the
issue had never been contentious when anyone involved knew it
had and as was shown by the email Ms. Silverio, herself, posted.
Finally, instead of addressing Ms. Demitrio's recent comments,
Ms. Silverio hid behind the ridiculous cloak of semantics.

Who knows, and who cares, why she did any of this but in
doing all of the above she betrayed the confidences of
people who had trusted her and she jettisoned the respect
and consideration others may have afforded her.

It seems like a high price to pay to thwart an old ally.





Linda
--
It is easier to fight for one's principles than to live up to them.
  Alfred Adler
Newsgroups: talk.abortion