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From: dyer@wivax.UUCP (Stephen Dyer)
Newsgroups: net.motss,net.singles
Subject: Re: Sargent/Brenner Con't (flame contra Arndt)
Message-ID: <19630@wivax.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 18-Jun-84 21:27:29 EDT
Article-I.D.: wivax.19630
Posted: Mon Jun 18 21:27:29 1984
Date-Received: Tue, 19-Jun-84 01:46:22 EDT
References: <1656@decwrl.UUCP>
Organization: Wang Institute, Tyngsboro, Ma.  01879
Lines: 40

If Arndt weren't so damned enamoured with the sound of his own keyclicks
he'd be like most readers who, when they find they have nothing
to say, say nothing.  This is a bona fide flame directed at Mr. Arndt's
behavior; I admit it, I am glad to be doing it.  His bizarre behavior
has been pretty insufferable, but when he attempts to provide us his dull
misinterpretations of articles on top of this...I give up!

Dammit Ken, Ellen, and all the rest of us, were not discussing morality!
The issue here (there are more points to be read in net.singles)
is that there was not only public expression of an individual's opinion
about homosexuality, which in and of itself is neutral (though it might
be distasteful to some of us), but also public defamation of gay people
as a class.  There was speculation that gay people are underneath it
all, straight.  That we are somehow "failed" humans, incapable of REAL
depth of feeling, unlike card-carrying heterosexuals.

This makes ME mad, it makes Ellen mad, it makes anyone with any sensitivity
mad, to see a class of people cavalierly disposed of with the surety that
only the truely narrow-minded and presumptuous can attain.  This is not
a discussion of morality, it is an issue of etiquette.  It is an issue
of proper behavior and sensitivity to people's feelings.  It is an issue of
knowing when to express your feelings, knowing HOW to express your feelings
and knowing when to SUPPRESS your feelings.  It doesn't offend me particularly
that Jeff or harpo!jrl or anyone else thinks being gay is icky.  It DOES
offend me when people use their personal prejudices to make ignorant or
hate-filled unsubstantiated statements about any group of people.  Now,
at the same time, I do enjoy the chance to express my opinions to them
in a spirit of education, that they might at least appreciate input from
one individual from the group that they have maligned.  With any luck,
they might use the opportunity to listen, learn and perhaps change their
minds, perhaps not.  I have yet to see the same reaction from the "other
side."  All I read is sarcasm, hate-filled invective and untruths totally
unrooted in anything except their personal chambers-of-horrors.  Would I be
willing to hear one of them engage in a reasonable discussion of the issues?
Surely (though not in net.singles, doubtless to the relief of all here reading!)
But it hasn't come to pass yet.
-- 
/Steve Dyer
decvax!bbncca!sdyer
sdyer@bbncca.ARPA