Date: Sat, 8 Nov 1997 09:32:40 -0500
From: George Trail <gtrail-AT-UH.EDU>
Subject: Re: PLC: Utility of UnSubbing


>Dear PhilLitCrit People,
>
>I desire hearing your views on unsubbing from lists. I do not see the
>utility of unsubbing from lists I do not like.
>
>I am vehemently against expelling people from any list in which readers
>are free whom to read and whom to delete. Thus I was and am against the
>expulsions from PhilLit, my stance having nothing to do with the value
>of the posts of those expelled, but with the value of freedom of speech.
>
>Yet, I did not unsub from PhilLit. I would not have cancelled my
>subscription to the leading Nazi periodical in 1936, in fact I would
>have subscribed if not already a subscriber. I would have even published
>in it if I were given the chance to be published uncensored. I welcome
>the chance to observe human folly and the chance to prove that it is.
>
>I do not think unsubscribing protects free speech.
>
>I beg to be corrected so that I unsubscribe immediately if it does.
>
>Sincerely,
>
>Metin Aktay


Your point is from one perspective indisputable. I have often entertained
the fantasy that the way to deal with the Ku Klux Klan is to completely
populate it with FBI agents, who would then elect one of their own number
Grand Imperial Whateverthehell, and hold endless meetings to debate
strategy.

But there is another tradition, which is the one members of this list who
have unsubscribed PL are invoking, and I suggest Ceridwin Harris invokes
with her reaction to Pat's post. That is, the I think mostly American
tradition called "voting with your feet," i.e. leaving. It is a protest
vote. It says, in effect, I want to publicly declare that I do not wish to
be, by co-membership, a party to this conduct.

Ceridwen has every right, I think, to take Pat's "The English chaps" to be
an attack on the British, who are condemned _as an entire nation_ by the
post as viscious. Her action calls attention to the broadness of the claim
and (I hope) provides Pat an occasion to reconsider her use of synecdoche
(the nation cannot be found in individuals, and _any_ national, racial, or
religious attack is subject to that condemnation.) I for one prefer to
stand and fight, but not everyone is so disposed, nor should they be.

You are Turkish, I believe. How would you react if I posted "Well, I rather
believe T.E. Lawrene wrote you chaps down in _The Seven Pillars of
Wisdom_." I am certainly not disposed to do that, but the question is
serious.

Best,
g




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