From: byers@cl2.cl.uh.edu (Unbeliever)
Subject: Re: Yet Another Periodic Return...
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.4-b1  
Reply-To: byers@cl.uh.edu
Organization: The Land
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1992 21:14:00 GMT

The dull blue-white glow in the corner barely has time to fade when the remarks
of a Callahan's patron cause the Unbeliever to materialize once more.  He
approaches Speaker To Minerals with a strange look in his eyes.  Nobody in the
room can remember Unbeliever looking so... angry.  But when he reaches StM, he
displays enough self-control to impress even Mike.

"I am given to understand that you are currently rather sick, and are subject
to some rather violent mood swings.  For this reason, and because of the
respect I have for the FRIENDLY, TOLERANT atmosphere of Callahan's, will I not
complete the posting I was 90% finished with, in which I viciously responded to
your unwarranted attacks upon myself and my persona."

"I will simply state for the record, as calmly as possible:"

"1) Covenant is my PERSONA, not my real life self.  Please try to distinguish.
    Obviously, I am far more sympathetic to the character than you seem to be.
    But however much you loath the character, at least do me the honor of
    taking offense at MY actions rather than the actions of a character in a
    series of book.  Take responsibility for what I'm DOING?  What are you
    TALKING about?  Please explain; I honestly don't understand."

"2) I am not, have never been, and would never consider being a fundamentalist
    (Christian, or any other sort).  I don't even consider myself religious.
    Any remarks I make along the lines of 'thank the heavens', 'thank God', or
    even 'burn in Hell', should be taken simply as the generic expressions
    they were intended to be.  It is only the recent arrival of Barbara in my
    life that makes me think there might BE a God..."

"3) At no point did I make ANY disparaging remarks about Kitten or her
    profession (librarian).  I didn't even MENTION Kitten.  I merely said
    that I found the working conditions at Waldenbooks to be mind-numbing
    and tedious.  Big difference."

"4) And finally... this >IS< Callahan's.  Flames just don't belong here.
    If you can't respect me, at least respect the Place...  I've been here
    alot longer than you have..."

The Unbeliever looks tired, like he's been working very hard to make his point
without hurting any feelings.  Finally, he shrugs, and says:

"I sincerely and honestly hope things get better for you.  Mike, give this man
another of whatever he's having, on me!"

Unbeliever starts to fade once more.  Suddenly, a flash leaps from his White
Gold Ring and forms a dark rectangular region, floating in the air, on which is
written in green several of Speaker to Minerals' recent remarks.  This region
remains even after Unbeliever has faded from view...

===============================================================================
StM suddenly fades, and Carl appears:  "Fuck off and die, asshole.  Either that
or learn to take responsibility for what the fuck your're doing!" he says. StM
appears again.  "You've got to remember that Carl has to clean up the shit left
by people like BYERS who've been given privileges on various computer accounts"
hesays.  He's had to deal with the Thomas Covenant Model:
	The less you understand, the more power you're granted
before.  You know, it was trying to clean things up for that sort of asshole
that put me in the hospital a month ago.  You might find Covenant to be someone
worth emulating, but if you try emulating him here, you're going to find at
least one person who will (out of self-defense, if nothing else) call a
shithead a shithead.

StM seems perturbed enough to say "Hey, SHITHEAD!  How about you try taking at
least a little responsibility for your actions?"

Back where?  If you deny your responsibility for anything, where the fuck are
you?

Obvviously an illusion, since nobody who denys the results of his actions can
possible be involved in any longstanding relationhip.

And if your Covenent persona is an indication of how you deal with the rest of
the world, you're being overpaid.

Oh, another fundie.  Praise god for all that's good, nad blame yourself for all
that's bad.  SHITHEAD!

Oh, OK. You're denying being a fundamentalist, despite the obvious indications
you provided that you are one.  Then you shoudn't resent my statments, should
you?
===============================================================================

Written in blue-white below this last remark, are the words,
"Yes, despite your not being well, and despite not being any of the things
you called me...  Yes.  Your statements are resented.  Happy?"



+--------------------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| Internet:    byers@cl.uh.edu   | "First things first, but not necessarily   |
|                  - or -        | in that order!"                            |
|            reed@unkaphaed.uucp |                     -- The Doctor          |
+--------------------------------+--------------------------------------------+
From: daq@hpfcso.FC.HP.COM (Doug Quarnstrom)
Date: Mon, 5 Oct 1992 14:52:45 GMT
Subject: Re: all about callahans
Organization: Hewlett-Packard, Fort Collins, CO, USA