RE: Who?

["Shahab Mesbah" <meteor2@moscow.com>]

Dear friends,

 

Personally I understand if some want to remain anonymous. We speak of freedom of speech in this country and the freedom to be free of prejudice; the reality, however, is far from this. We as human beings have a tendency to cubby hole each other and categorize each other. This is a natural tendency to make understanding easier. It is laziness really! Those who have been persecuted for their belief, thoughts, opinions, or even national origin the need to remain anonymous is understandable indeed. I think if anonymity helps friends speak honestly then so be it. I personally have been through much persecution but have learned that I cannot run away from it so I confront it. I always speak my mind and speak the truth. My memory is too poor to try to remember lies! This willingness to risk reprisal may stem from the fact that I should have been well dead long ago so I feel lucky! Or maybe I am stupid and refuse to acknowledge danger. Whatever its cause my reaction is unusual indeed. Most people I know who have been subjected to prejudice tend to learn to operate low key. Some call them cowards… I call them smart! Sometimes my parents wish I were smarter!

 

Anyway… if individuals feel more comfortable speaking their mind anonymously I cannot think of a reason why we should forbid it… even if we could. The key is, as I have said so many times, that we treat each other with respect. This is difficult sometimes! Sometimes people do not “deserve” respect. I would assert that those who do not “deserve” respect have become this way because of their past negative experiences. They have poor self-image and are weak. We need to nurture them and help them overcome their deficiencies. Trust is earned… we must be kind and nurturing so we can earn their trust and hopefully get to know them instead of just their selected ideas.

 

“Your brother in arms”

Shahab…

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Bill London [mailto:london@moscow.com]
Sent: Monday, October 08, 2001 9:03 AM
To: Bill Strand
Cc: Sam Scripter; vision2020@moscow.com
Subject: Re: Who?

 

Moscow Vision 2020 has no moderator.  If you want an analogy, think of V2020 as the soapbox in Hyde Park in London.  V2020 only provides the opportunity.
    And yes, we members/subscribers have agreed, after a round of provocative postings a few years ago, on two things: only those who subscribed will be able to post, and to subscribe you will be asked to list your name.
    Given the anarchistic nature of this medium, those who subscribe without giving their names are in violation of that trust, but there is no method of policing or enforcement.
    The free flow of ideas is not a tidy process.  But when violations of this trust have surfaced, our responsible membership has risen to the occasion (this time we can thank Sam Scripter and Bill Strand for doing so) and publicly pressured the deviant poster.
    During this national emergency, it is no surprise that tempers are rising, provocative exchanges are occuring, etc...  But as the high level of traffic on this list indicated, we wanted to talk about it.  As Americans, we wanted to share our ideas and perspectives.
    This list provided a much stronger and much richer discussion than anything I saw printed in the local media.
    BL

Bill Strand wrote:

Hi Sam,I agree with you completely. My guess is that this "Bullitt Bullitt" is just trying to stir up stuff. I don't know if this forum has a "moderator". If so, it is time for someone and step in. I have no need to listen to anonymous proddings like this.I am not a heavy user of this forum, but it keeps me up to date on local and regional events as I travel. I do jump in from time to time. For the most part, I like the free and open discussion. However, my "vote" is sign your name or sign off.Bill Strand

-----Original Message-----
From: Sam Scripter [mailto:MoscowSam@moscow.com]
Sent: Monday, October 08, 2001 7:36 AM
To: vision2020@moscow.com
Subject: Who?
 

Monday morning, 10-08-2001 Am I having a delusion??? I thought we have had what is at least an informal agreement onVision2020 that our identities can be seen in our addressheaders and that we sign our emails with real names and notwith "handles." So I'll "bite" ...... Who is the new visitor who seems to notbe participapting fully on Vision 2020??? Who are you, Bullitt Bullitt?  What is your name?  In whichcommunity and state do you live? I am Sam Scripter in Moscow, Idaho