Shipper Debates & all other On-Topic Discussions

Penny & Bryce Linsenmayer pennylin at swbell.net
Mon Jan 1 05:39:58 UTC 2001


No: HPFGUIDX 8270

Hi --

mlleelizabeth at aol.com wrote:

> I tried to say this subtly in a previous post and I don't think I had
> much effect.

There was a post from you earlier Elizabeth that was addressed
specifically to me (something about filing a "no evidence" motion).  No
such thing in legal parlance I don't think, but I'm not a litigator.

> It is my personal belief that the H/H shippers (however many of them
> there are) are indeed substantially more vocal than those with other
> ship preferences, including the non-shippers.  In fact, I believe the
> H/H ship has been belabored.

Just the H/H ship has been belabored?  Really?  Hmm, guess that shows
where your sympathies lie.

> I do hope this doesn't make you all mad at me, but lately most of the
> list has been taken up with this subject and I'm tired of it and
> starting to feel downright bullied.  New subjects have been introduced
> and still the ship debate rages ...

The debate rages because people are interested in it.  If you are *not*
interested in it, then there is simply no need for you to feel
"bullied."  There's in fact a very very simple solution to your problem
Elizabeth, and it doesn't involve "scolding" the list or trying to
berate the list into abandoning a topic you find tiresome.

This applies to everyone: USE YOUR DELETE KEYS if you don't want to read
a particular thread of conversation.  I've asked & most all people are
complying with the request that subject headers be relevant.  I can say
with virtual certainty that all the shipper debate posts of the last few
weeks have been very clearly labelled in the subject heading.
Accordingly, there is absolutely no need for anyone to proclaim that
they've been unwittingly subjected to a tiresome thread of messages that
they would have avoided had they been warned.  If the subject heading
indicates it's something you don't want to read about, then delete the
message & move on.

You are also always welcome (as you did) to introduce new topics of
discussion in the hopes that everyone will grow tired of the one you
wish would die a quick death.  Personally, there are plenty of threads
that I skim or delete myself.  I do usually at least open all the
messages & give them a quick skim on the off-chance that the subject
header is misleading.

Not all topics are going to be of interest to everyone.  But, you've
joined a *discussion* group.  All *on-topic* discussions are therefore
welcome.  Not everyone need participate in all ongoing discussions.
That is why I've tried to periodically remind people to be mindful of
their subject headings.  Whether you love 'em or hate 'em though, the
shipper discussions are decidedly on-topic.  They are not going to be
banned.  I like to think I'm fair-minded though -- I've never asked that
any on-topic discussion be abandoned (even the ones that I personally
despise).

As I mentioned in a message earlier this evening, I can also say that
the shipper debates (like some others) follow a reasonably predictable
pattern.  They go strong for a week to 3 weeks & then they die a natural
death.  They resurface 2-3 months later.  So, never fear Elizabeth, I'm
sure your inbox won't be subjected to messages belaboring the H/H point
of view for much longer.  But, it will not be because any one person
admonishes the rest of us to abandon a discussion we're enjoying.  It
will be because the debates run their natural course for this cycle.

Hopefully, I'm not offending anyone, but I have a very strong stance on
free speech & on the nature of internet discussion groups.  You are in
no way a captive audience in this group.  You're always free to avoid
certain messages, avoid all posts by certain individuals or avoid the
group as a whole, whenever & however you choose.

Thanks for listening.

Penny



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