From: altar@beaufort.sfu.ca (Ted Wayn Altar)
Subject: Re: All This Talk About KILL Files
Organization: Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C., Canada
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1992 17:18:33 GMT

George B. Clark writes:

>Ted and Abhay have posted information on vitamin D, and I want to
>see them defend it.
[...]

George, I have and I am quite willing again to "defend" (am I u
under "attack"?) whatever I post, but I only ask that people voice
their worries in a civil manner and one that respects the
independent intelligence of us all.

I've already explained that in order to help reduce flames, it is
simply NOT good policy to answer to rudeness or be drawn into a
quibble by a flame-baiting posting.

I am at least owed, as are you, some measure respect and fair-
mindedness and we are ALL to be treated with at least the
rudiments of what even the net etiquette demands.  Derisive
sarcasms, personal attacks, and mere endless "nay-saying" are not
valid forms of argumentation nor does it evince respect for the
person who is so being mocked and derided.

Unfortunately, some posters seem to always be forgetting that
they not writing to an inert, unfeeling computer but to real
people who do have a sensitive responsiveness to what people say
about them (well, at least most of us).

Surely, it is my prerogative to choose NOT to respond to those
who:

     a) instead of trying to be generously helpful are viciously
          hurtful
     
     b) instead of hoping to kindly inform and constructively
          educate when they have the knowledge to do so,
          apparently seem more intent in using their knowledge to
          belittle and demean certain people.
     
     c)  instead of open-minded and friendly debate, they would
          repeatedly lapse into personal attacks, sarcasms and
          derisive glib dismissals of people.
     
     d)  instead of constructive criticism and constructive
          postings that would help advance our purported
          interests pertaining to vegetarianism on this
          conference, they would consistently post with a
          destructive intent.
     
Now, these are my touchstones for what would qualify somebody to be
placed into my KILL file.  You may have your own.  In any case, I
don't think anybody really expects me, or you, to feel obligated
to respond to those who have shown themselves to be contemptuous
towards the independent intelligence and personhood of another.



>Hey, Abhay.  Move your candy ass to front and center stage,
>and let's hear some vitamin D expertise from you.
>You, too, Ted.  Don't chicken out, and go into another exile,
>like you did before.

Are you trying to bait us?  Well, as you know, there are
plenty of other fish in the sea and of course, there is
always better bait.  :-)

Incidentally, vegetarians (esp. vegans) have much less of a
problem with being over-weight than omnivores.  I doubt that
Abhay's gluteus maximus is as you describe.  

Now, if you wish to cordially voice some worries or objections
about what I (or someone else) has posted, then of course feel
free to state them in a more concrete manner.  What exactly is it
that you find problematic with my posting about vitamin D?


>Afterall, according to Abhay's "List of Participants," you
>are "our most valuable contributor."   :-)

That news to me!  I thought it only read,
     "another extremely valuable contributor to r.f.v.; well
     informed and well read".
Nothing here about being "our most valuable contributor".  Could
this be a Freudian slip on your part??  I'm surprised that your
Unconscious thinks so highly of me  ;-)  :-)  :-)

                                        ted

Xref: sparky rec.food.veg:10699 sci.med.nutrition:1420