From: KARLIN@BNLCL6.BNL.GOV (P.L. Cowan)
Subject: An open letter to Jones Maxime Murphy (was Re: What the FAQ?)
Summary: none
Keywords: none
Reply-To: COWAN@ANL.GOV
Organization: BROOKHAVEN NATIONAL LABORATORY
Date: Sun, 6 Sep 1992 21:26:51 GMT
X-News-Reader: VMS NEWS 1.23

I very much regret that this post will undoubtedly result in a renewed
attack waged across this newsgroup. However, after ignoring the final
insult I received at the "pen" of Mr. Murphy for over a week, I have 
decided my sense of "honor" compels me to respond.
 
In <1992Aug28.122257.1791@cco.caltech.edu> morphy@cco.caltech.edu writes:

: KARLIN@BNLCL6.BNL.GOV (P.L. Cowan) writes:
: > [my arguments defending the topic of "flags" as legitimate for this group
: > are deleted]
:
: That you're basically a reincarnation of Adolf Hitler who must be killed 
: forthwith. 
:
: [additional stuff deleted]
: 
: Jones
: -- 
: Jones M Murphy Jr                                        (212) 602-4375
: NatWest Investment Bancorp, National Westminster Bank PLC
: 100 Wall Street, New York, NY10005                   FAX (212) 269-0113

Now, admittedly Mr Jones was engaged in a fairly brisk "fire fight" with two
other readers of the group at the time. Nevertheless, my strongest criticism
toward him to that point was that some of is arguments were, "so narrow as 
to be facetious."

Short of receiving I public apology from Mr. Murphy (which I am not 
expecting), these will be my last words directed toward him. Thanks to
the existence of news readers with kill-file capability, for the past
week I have enjoyed reading this newsgroup with neither his ratings, 
nor the rantings of those who have engaged him. From my perspective, 
it has been a week without personal insults being exchanged, without 
debates degenerating into comparisons of one's opponent to genocidal 
meglomaniacs, a week without threats of bodily harm. And yet, the topics 
that Mr. Murphy berates us for ignoring have proceeded to be discussed, 
on a very high intellectual plane (with sincere thanks to Mr. Sanders 
and Mr. Rath).

I have decided that rather than risk exposing my anger by composing my own
response to Mr. Murphy, I will employ the words of President Jefferson Davis.
Careful readers of this group will realize that Jeff Davis is not among 
my personal heroes, but I have discovered an appreciation for his ability 
to aggravate his opponents through understatement. In response to a letter 
of protest from Gen. J. E. Johnston at being listed as fourth in line for 
promotion to the rank of full General, he wrote:

     Sir: I have just received and read your letter of the 12th instant.
     Its language is, as you say unusual; its arguments and statements
     utterly one sided, and its insinuations as unfounded as they are
     unbecoming.
        I am &c.
                                        Jeff'n Davis.

Same to you, Mr. Murphy.

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P. L. Cowan     Please send replies, comments etc. (no flames thank you) to 
COWAN@ANL.GOV   (I'm posting this from a friend's account)
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---------------------------------------------------------------------------
P. L. Cowan     Please send replies, comments etc. (no flames thank you) to 
COWAN@ANL.GOV   (I'm posting this from a friend's account)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------