Date: Sat, 2 Mar 1996 17:53:08 +0100
From: m-14970-AT-mailbox.swipnet.se (Hugh Rodwell)
Subject: Re: back to Lisa


Lisa R writes:

>So Hugh, I'm curious, are you
>
>1.  Trying your hardest to intentionally avoid addressing any issue I
>actually mentioned, act condescending and piss me off as much as
>possible?
>
>or
>
>2.  Have you just sincerely not got a single clue to what I was
>talking about?
>
>Here's a hint:
>It's not about my "pain" or my "patience".
>It's not about "discussion of organizations".
>It's not about me "forcing people to share my views".

Now, Lisa, as for your issues, you have previously suggested the following
as suitable activities on the list:

        discussing marxism as a body of thought, helping the working class
        come to power, or advancing analysis/ theory/ mental work, or
        creating joy or enjoyably stimulating conversation

and:

        civilly discussing something relating to marxism.

and you warned Adolfo O etc that 'accusations and name-calling' weren't
helpful or conducive to 'open discussion'.

What have I missed out?

I don't intend to be condescending. My motto is: Never overestimate your
listeners' knowledge, never underestimate their intelligence. And if I
don't always live up to it, at least I aim to.

How can I know what pisses you off unless you tell me? You have made very
few statements of principle that I can find that would indicate where your
'piss off' zone lies.

Unless of course 'civilly discussing' is a principle. I thought the whole
of my posting to you was about the utopian nature of having some notion of
'civility' as a guideline in discussions such as those in this forum.

You claim you don't have a subjective position: 'It's not about my "pain"
or my "patience".

You say it's not the organizational aspect that bothers you: 'It's not
about "discussion of organizations".'

And you say it's not intolerance with respect to views you disagree with:
'It's not about me "forcing people to share my views".'

Good. So what's left but 'civility'? Urge us to share your views on this as
much as you like, condemn bad examples, but tell us what you mean by
'civil' first.

And if you still think I'm way off target, tell us what the target is
supposed to be instead of tossing out oblique hints.

Cheers,

Hugh





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

     ------------------