To: bhaskar-AT-jefferson.village.virginia.edu
From: Howie Chodos <howie-AT-magi.com>
Subject: Re: BHA: misogyny
Date: Tue, 18 Nov 1997 00:04:23 -0500


My two cents.

1. I do like Doug's and Wallace's idea that there be an explicit acceptance
of list rules when someone subscribes. But I think it should be quite
general and flexible. In fact, the kind of wording that strikes me as most
appropriate involves essentially recognizing, formalizing if you will,
current practice. It is also, I think, largely in line with Hans's original
vision for the list. People could be asked to knowingly accept something
like: "I agree to abide by the prevailing standards set by list participants".

The extent of formal agreement encompasses the commitment to police
ourselves and to respect the wishes of the community. This does not mean
contributions which contravene community standards would or should go
unchallenged. Merely that the challenge and subsequent discussion would look
a lot like what has just taken place in the course of the list's debate over
what, if anything, to do about Ralph. Someone (in this case Ruth) complains
about serious infractions of list standards. The list then deliberates,
possibly, as has just occurred, to the exclusion of just about everything else.

2. Personally, I do not know what should be done collectively beyond
hammering home what is in essence an immanent critique of Ralph's stance.
His practice of hatred towards communities and constituencies whose active
participation is required for there to be any hope of achieving the ends he
claims to espouse (something like Marxian socialism) is, quite simply,
self-contradictory. 

I am one of those who feels that, nonethelesss, Ralph occasionally
contributes things of great interest. At other times he articulates
positions that need answering. As for the rest, how much is intended to
intimidate, how much to attract attention, how much to sow discord, and how
much is truly deeply held belief, I do not know. Most of his insults would
seem to me to be, as Tobin pointed out, a poor substitute for argument. I
continue to find them puerile and offensive even though he seems to have
mellowed somewhat over the years.

Howie Chodos



     --- from list bhaskar-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu ---