Passing judgment on other posters (Was: Snape)

[Amanda]

No: HPFGUIDX 114851


Carol adds:

> Thanks for saying that, Alla. As you undoubtedly know, I love 
Snape's
> mystery and complexity and I don't think he's nearly as evil as some
> people have painted him as being. And of course I don't approve of
> genuinely abusive teachers in RL. Nor do I appreciate the 
implication
> that I'm evil or my judgment is defective because Snape is my 
favorite
> character. I have as much right to like Snape as others do to hate
> him, or to like Sirius Black or James Potter. Let them like Lucius
> Malfoy or even Voldemort if they want to. They're fictional
> characters, not real people, and not one person on this list is 
likely
> to advocate genocide or even Muggle-baiting in RL.
> 
> I've noticed a tendency lately for certain posters to state their
> opinions as if they were the absolute truth and to dismiss others'
> views as wrong or absurd. Please, if you're one of these people,
> listen to what Alla is saying here. We need an atmosphere of mutual
> respect in which opinions are recognized *as opinions* and 
supported,
> where possible, by canon. Sweeping generalizations and, above all,
> insinuations about other posters or the absurdity of their views 
just
> will not do. No one is the absolute authority here, and no one has 
the
> right to dictate--or criticize--others' views or tastes. It takes 
all
> the fun out of arguing--and that's why most of us are here. (Right, 
Alla?)
> 
> Carol, expecting a Howler from the List Elves for stepping in twice
> and hoping they'll understand that her intentions are good

Howler someone for stressing politeness and observance of the rules? 
I wasn't aware we had Kreacher on staff, but you never know.

Carol, a timely reminder, especially when coupled with an actual 
canon post (unlike, say, *this* one), is likely more appreciated than 
denigrated. This list has always had a strong self-policing element; 
the listmembers know what culture and tone they prefer.

~Amandageist