Re: on the Mark

[bird <birdw@xxxxxxx>]

> From : "Berry, Mark  S" < berrym@xxxxxxxxxxxx >
> OK. Maybe I'm the only one who feels that you can't just disagree with
> someone without being condescending to them. Like I said, a lot of 
> people
> disagree on this list, and that's what makes it great. It's your 
> tendency to
> attack not just the message, but the messenger, that is starting to 
> rub me a
> little raw. Like I said, maybe it's just me. I know I come across as a
> know-it-all. I try not to, but I usually fail miserably. Just ask my 
> wife.
> But as much as I may disagree with someone's point and absolutely 
> believe
> I'm right, I still try to keep it on topic and not about the person 
> posting
> the opinion. I think with you, it's just the opposite.
>
> I've been on the list for a long time and have had some spirited 
> debates,
> but I hope I've never belittled anyone with the tone of my posts. Joe 
> and I
> couldn't disagree more about some things-like Antoine-but I absolutely
> respect his opinion and his right to it, and I think he feels the same 
> way
> about my opinion and my right to it. Same with Paul M. (I knew a good
> Antoine rant could bring you out of hibernation, Paul).
>
> But I've already wasted more time on this than I should have. Go ahead 
> and
> condescend to your heart's content. I've had my rant.
Well, I don't know what to say about your apparent problem.  Perhaps 
it's your lack of heart, or you just can't stand competition, or you 
have some sort of metal problem.  Or, maybe it's just that you and I 
disagree.  I'll go with the last one.  Oh, perhaps you're right, maybe 
I am condescending.  Or maybe you don't get the humor.  Or maybe it's 
condescending humor.  Whatever.  I did enjoy how you got to call me 
out, *and* get to say how it's not about the person, but the about the 
topic for you, though.  That's pretty clever, the way you get to take 
the high road but also get to sling the mud, eh?

I certainly meant no disrespect to either you or Gene.  Nor was I 
trying to "belittle" anyone.  But just as you get to say what you like, 
I get to say what I like.  And at least I'm not constantly calling 
people idiots or brain dead.  But that's not belittling them.  But it 
must be different, because they are not here to defend themselves.  
(OK, look, I realize that public figures are going to be justifiably 
subject to name-calling, it's just a little ironic to have you complain 
about belittling people when you do it so often yourself.  I guess I 
could have avoided pointing that out in smart-ass way, but, there you 
go.)

Plus, it's ironic to get advice about being condescending from a 
self-professed "know-it-all".  I guess you know what you're talking 
about, but I can't figure why I haven't seen you at any of the 
meetings?  Just out?

I reserve the right to be condescending later, but I think my heart is 
content for now.  If you're still worried (can't help but use the Vin 
Baker vernacular we've become so accustomed to these days), I'll say 
again I do respect your opinion, and your right to express it, as well. 
 I've said many times you may be exactly right, but I disagree on some 
small points here and there, as well as your insistence in its 
near-dogmatic acceptance.

If that's come across as condescending or belittling, I apologize.

Oh, wait, one more thing.  I think Paul Gaston ought to be destroyed, 
and the earth salted where he once lived.  There.  Heart's content.

Bird