Neither did I. No one I know did. On Aug 26, 2005, at 11:19 AM, James Schulte wrote: > 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). > ========================================================= 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).