McG / DD / Re: Why should Harry be expected to listen to anyone at H...

[Amanda Geist]

No: HPFGUIDX 123009


Lupinlore said:

> But actually, the way Gerry spoke *does* defend Umbridge and her 
> detentions, e.g.  the detentions were a "good thing."  It makes no 
> sense to say something is a "good thing" and then turn around and 
> say, "but of course it is horrible and I condemn it."
> 
> What DOES make sense is to say, "this is a horrible thing but at 
> least Harry learned something from it, and in that sense some good 
> came out of an evil thing."  Fine.  I have absolutely no objection 
to 
> that and agree with it wholeheartedly.  But that is far from making 
> the astounding statement that the detentions "were a good thing."
> 
> It is my hope that Gerry actually meant to say something closer to 
> the second meaning and not the first.  Thus, as I said, I choose to 
> believe that he did not mean what he actually said, and request 
that 
> he be much more careful in the future.

I read Gerry's response quite carefully and could not make myself get 
the interpretation you did. I believe his "good thing" comment was in 
the nature of "in the long term" or "in the broad view," and I also 
agree with his analysis.

Let me also suggest that your reaction, request for clarification, 
warning, whatever, belongs offlist; it doesn't directly contribute to 
the discussion as far as I can see, other than to communicate your 
shock.

~Amandageist