Re: Unwarranted Insults!!!!

From: abbyi897@aol.com (Abby I897)

Date: Tue, 22 Jul 1997 00:00:00 +0000

Keith Parker <kgp8d@virginia.edu> wrote:

>If we lose our right to make (gentle) fun of those with AOL >accounts,
where do we turn?

Nobody was complaining about having "gentle fun" poked at AOL users.  The
issue is unwarranted insults leveled at the AOLers who post to *this* ng.

>Like it or not, many AOL users are just not
>up to the intellectual standards that are expected by many regular
>Usenet posters.  This is no reflection on you, or any other >intelligent
and mature AOL subscriber.

We aren't addressing "many AOL users," we're talking about AOL users on
rec.games.pbm.  In that context, I sincerely hope your intention was to
point out the general reasons AOLers may feel discriminated against on
Usenet, and NOT to join the debate over the AOLers who post to this forum.
 They are, after all, the focus of this thread, not  AOLers in general.

I agree with your general assessment of the kind of people who abuse AOL,
but I do not agree that it applies to AOLers who have posted to this
group.  There ARE a lot of jerks on AOL, but pointing that out in a
discussion focusing on *this* group's AOLers can be interpreted as a
personal slam, and I don't think that is how your meant it.  Am I wrong?

>Anyway, you probably won't be
>able to escape the discrimination, so you'd better get used to it.  >Or
change providers <g>.

Surely you meant this tongue-in-cheek.  Again, this thread is about
specific comments made in this ng to specific posters who happen to be AOL
subscribers.  It isn't a generalization - it is an issue of personal
insults and inuendo.  Your argument reflects a disturbing mindset.  Would
you also say "we can't escape racism, so we might as well get used to it?"
 One always has a choice in whether or not to engage in discriminatory
acts.

My intention is not to flame you.  I recognize that sometimes what one
means to be a humorous aside can come across very differently in cold
type.  I am asking for clarification.

I would also like to point out that I, for one, have taken the time to
read all available information on "Usenet Tradition," this group's FAQ,
and every post in this debate (as well as the ads thread that spawned it).
 Who my ISP is has nothing to do with my personal opinions as I post them.

Conclusion:  freedom of speech guarantees your "right" to poke idle fun at
anyone you choose.  Please bear in mind, though, that when you make a
generalization about ANY group of people - especially if your intention is
more playful than harmful - you are accountable for what you say and how
you say it.  If you don't mean to "reach out and slam someone," please be
sure to make that clear to those of us who do not have the benefit of
knowing your inner mind.

Abby

References

Re: New Topic: Unwarranted Insults!!!!
Keith Parker <kgp8d@virginia.edu>
Tue, 22 Jul 1997 00:00:00 +0000