Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site wivax.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!wivax!dyer 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