Not really, but I didnt

-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of unlisted
Sent: Friday, August 26, 2005 10:07 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Lesson from: Well, I've seen everything else on this list, so
why not this?

 "Okay, how many of you voted for
the current president?"

a very inappropriate question.



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "George Garner" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, August 26, 2005 11:00 AM
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Lesson from: Well, I've seen everything else on this

list, so why not this?


> Rebecca,
>
> The museum field in general is very polarized - like the rest of the 
> country - and the majority of museum employees are would probably consider

> themselves or their beliefs "liberal."
>
> I had an experience at the last AAM that emphaiszed that point. There was 
> a large audience of mostly exhibit developers. The commentator asked, "How

> many of you believe we live in an extrememly polarized country?" Almost 
> every hand shot up. "Okay, how many of you voted for the current 
> president?" Only a few hands remained in the air - the rest shot down. The

> point, of course, was that the country is split almost right down the 
> middle, and the two sides are very far apart from each other. But we 
> museum folk are trying to reach /all /audiences, and we have to be aware 
> of that.
>
> That said, Rebecca, I think the posters who commented about Mr. Bottoms 
> article are not intolerant of different views. They are intolerant of the 
> bigotry and hatred seething throughout Mr. Bottoms' message. This is not 
> intolerance of a different point of view - this is a reaction against an 
> ugly, reactionary article that does more harm to this great country and 
> its many diverse people than the supposed threats the writer outlined.
>
> Rebecca, I'll discuss issues with someone of a different point of view any

> day. I enjoy the discussion. It flexes my mental muscles. :) It's an 
> excercise in intelligent, productive, thoughtful disagreement. And I will 
> disagree with people. And we'll argue, and yell, and feel passionate about

> our views. But I'll respect the person with an opposing view afterwards.
>
> Rebecca, I hope I've made the difference clear. Thoughtful, tolerant, and 
> respectful disagreement between different people is healthy and great and 
> encouraged. Mr. Bottoms' post promoted hatred, intolerance, and racism. I 
> cannot respect Mr. Bottoms' post, and I'm not ashamed of the incredibly 
> angry reaction against it. In fact, I'd be afraid if there wasn't.
>
> With all respect,
> George
>
>
> Rebecca Fitzgerald wrote:
>
>>Hmmm...it's very interesting that while Mr. Bottoms posted a quoted 
>>article
>>that is certainly controversial and expresses the purported opinion of one
>>retired general. But, Mr. Bottoms has not sunk to the depths of some 
>>members
>>of this list. I've seen posts that referred to him as a "creep" or a
>>"troll." Most posts dismissed him as a "mad ranter" or an inflammatory
>>"baiter."
>>Mr. Bottom's post has actually helped expose a serious weakness of this
>>list, and one that prevents me from recommending it to my colleagues and
>>students. The Museum-L listserv is a very politically polarized list, very
>>intolerant of any views other than the extremely liberal one. Folks who do
>>express a contrary view are shouted down and characterized as bumpkins or
>>ignorant.
>>I belong to several successful history listservs that could serve as 
>>models
>>to this group. I'd like to recommend MARHST-L, a maritime history 
>>listserv.
>>This list includes members from every corner of the world, and every
>>political leaning. And because of the maritime content, politics and war 
>>are
>>necessarily part of the discussion. The difference is that these 
>>discussions
>>are framed carefully, respectful to ALL members, regardless of nation or
>>viewpoint. We would do well to emulate this list.
>>
>>Successful listservs go beyond civility, to caring. I was in a meeting
>>yesterday with colleagues from Iraq and Lebanon. The gentleman from Iraq 
>>was
>>describing some of the country's internal problems that have resulted from
>>the war, and the ensuing poverty. He insisted on using his English, and 
>>used
>>the word "careless" to describe the behaviors of some of his countrymen:
>>looting, robbing and mugging other Iraqis. His meaning was that they had 
>>no
>>love of their own countrymen. I've thought lots about his use of the word
>>and it seems to apply here. We don't mean to hurt with our words, but we 
>>are
>>careless...meaning that we have no love/concern for the folks who are
>>reading our posts.
>>Donning my asbestos suit!
>>
>>Becky Fitzgerald
>>Susquehanna Museum
>>
>>=========================================================
>>Important Subscriber Information:
>>
>>The Museum-L FAQ file is located at 
>>http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed 
>>information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail 
>>message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should 
>>read "help" (without the quotes).
>>
>>If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to 
>>[log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read 
>>"Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).
>>
>>
>
> -- 
> George Garner
> Director of Exhibitions
> Center for History
> 808 West Washington, South Bend, IN 46601
> www.centerforhistory.org // (574) 235-9664
>
> --------
>
> Celebrate Founders Month in August at the Center for History with a visit 
> to the exhibitions, From Southold to South Bend and New Order on the Land.
>
> =========================================================
> Important Subscriber Information:
>
> The Museum-L FAQ file is located at 
> http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed 
> information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail 
> message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should 
> read "help" (without the quotes).
>
> If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to 
> [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read 
> "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).
> 

=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:

The Museum-L FAQ file is located at
http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed
information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message
to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help"
(without the quotes).

If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to
[log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff
Museum-L" (without the quotes).

=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:

The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).

If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).