[oclug] Concerned Amusement

[Brad Barnett]

On Wed, 04 Apr 2007 23:20:30 -0400
Milan Budimirovic <milan.budimirovic at sympatico.ca> wrote:

> The Linux Doctor wrote:
> > Hi Guys,
> >
> > I've been watching the debate on OCLUG's main list  and as usual we
> > have everybody missing the point.
> >
> > First. The oclug at lists.oclug.on.ca is OCLUG's main list. Somebody
> > must instruct the keeper of the lists that this list should appear
> > first in all the lists.
> >
> > Second, I must note the never ending creep of 'political' correctness
> > into this list.  It is a never ending battle isn't it?
> >
> > This list was founded on the concepts of eclecticism, fundamental to
> > which is that all points of view are valid as long as you can defend
> > them. 'Political' correctness negates all points of view save their
> > own.
> >
> >   
> 
> Yeah, well, political correctness is a two-sided coin. To me political 
> political correctness is allowing one person to force-feed the 
> subscribers of the list with his own crass, ill-informed, illogical 
> viewpoints to such an extent that (a) everyone else's voice is drowned 
> out and (b) the few subscribers left on the list don't even bother 
> posting any more. And all this is tolerated in the name of "free 
> speech", because being seen as a "censor" is politically incorrect too.


Ah, such revisionist history.  It seems like many people are using the
Harper playbook these days.  Anyhow, it's been clear over the years
that you're not my fan, so clearly you're talking about me.

Of course, your personal, emotional need to attack my postings on this
list is quite uncalled for, and always has been.  Over the years,
generally speaking, there have always been a wide range of responses to
posts I make to this list.  Put another way, it takes two to tango. 

The real problem is, Milan, that this list has always been an open
list. Some people could never quite get that concept through their heads,
though.  They complained, whined, bitched and moaned about wanting to
change the structure of the list.  Repeatedly, month after month, year
after year, with the constant complaints by a tiny minority of list
members.  A special interest group would aptly describe this minority,
and it acted as such.

No, Milan, those complaints were not levelled at me.  Those complaints
were levelled at the eclectic collection of posters on this list, which I
happened to be one of, and in this list's heyday, those same posters
provided a wide range of political viewpoints.  Those viewpoints were
exchanged quite freely and consistently, which of course is a good thing. 
After all, the GPL alone is a very political statement.  People's tempers
flared, but with any open list with which members discuss any topic
possible, naturally such will be the case.

Unfortunately, I know many people that have left this list, precisely
because of those complaints by special interests.  They left because of
the upsurge in anonymous posting.  They left because of the language and
tone employed by those trying to squash the free nature of this list. 
They left because of the constant nattering by virtual grandmas.  They
left because of over-zealous, self-elected list moderators that did not
have public support.  They left because in some months, posts seemed to
literally double solely on the basis of said special interest bickering.

If there was ever a consensus to do so, of course, if the membership had
ever whole-heartedly agreed that this list change, it would have.  It
would have been quite easy, at that point, to say "NO OFF TOPIC POSTS".

This wasn't the case, of course, and so here we are again.  Back at this
same topic.  It's almost a friendly, warm feeling to discuss list
topicness now.