[at-l] Closing this file....

[baltimorejack@hotmail.com (Jack Tarlin)]

   First off, thanx to Kahley for her recent letter; lots of good points 
there.

   Second, to Jim Owen:  Sure hope your latest blast of wind has eased your 
intestinal distress.  I really hope it gave you pleasure, but you're 
stinking up an empty house, Jim.  I really don't care anymore, and more to 
the point, unless you've missed a few things, neither does anyone else.  
This conversation arose out of an attempt on my part to restore a certain 
level of tact and decorum to a list that seemed to be growing ever-more 
contentious.  I pointed out to Jim that the level and tome of the vast 
majority of his posts, for years, has been badgering, corrective, strident, 
and bullying.  Needless to say, my pointing out these facts that are surely 
apparent to anyone who has spent more than 3 days on this list resulted in a 
hissy fit of titanic proportions on his part. Sorry.  Sometimes, the truth 
can be distressing.

   I also find it remarkable that considering Jim's inflated feeling of 
self-importance and seniority on this list, it's rather remarkable that in 
the 48-odd hours since this delightful dialogue has been going on, NOT ONE 
person has come forward to offer support, defense, or vindication of Jim's 
past behavior and postings on the list. Could it possibly be that I am not 
the only one who finds Jim's tone condescending and unpleasant?  Then again, 
there's another reason most folks want nothing to do with this discussion:  
I suspect it's  primarily due to the fact that like myself, most folks wish 
this whole thing would go away and we could move on to more constructive 
discussion.  Oddly enough, this was the entire point of my posts---the fact 
is that most folks don't come to the list for this sort of thing, most folks 
find it unpleasant reading, and most folks want nothing to do with it.  
Well, I couldn't agree with 'em more, so instead of dignifying Jim's latest 
letter with any sort of response, I'm going to take some of his advice.  In 
addition to splenetic rage, and foul-mouthed suggestions that would shame 
any well brought up nine-year old, he did offer one gem:  "You've got a 
delete key just like everyone else.  Use it..."

    Magnificent suggestion, Jim.  As far as I'm concerned, and out of 
deference to the hundreds of folks who are as sick of this as I am, I have 
no further interest in pursuing this discussion, Jim.  I suggest you 
consider taking the same position.

   Lastly, tho, I must respond to one of Jim's more childish remarks, in 
which he accused me making points here and then running off to go hang out 
on another list or other sites.  Boy, has he got it wrong.  The fact of the 
matter is, as I've made it clear to many of the folks on this list, I spend 
MOST of my time on other lists, and very little time here, for two main 
reasons:  First of all, I'm more interested in devoting time to sites that 
spend the majority of their time in dealing with nuts and bolts, meat and 
potatoes advice, Q&A, etc., in other words, sites whose primary purpose is 
aiding and assisting prospective thru-hikers.  Regrettably, the percentage 
of time on at-l that is devoted to this sort of material is all too often, 
minimal.   And secondly, one of the reasons I spend little time here is that 
all too often, the list is dominated by a handful of strident voices who 
feel that their seniority on the list, or the frequency of their 
contributions, gives them the right to say anything they damned please.  
This frequently leads to a level of discourse that quite frankly, is beneath 
me.  In recent weeks (excuse me, recent hours) we've seen posts degenerate 
to a schoolyard----no, barnyard level.  I mean, for heaven's sake, folks, it 
doesn't take a great deal of wit to tell someone to either stick something 
where the sun doesn't shine, or encouraging folks to remove their heads from 
the same unfortunarte locale.  Are people PROUD to be speaking like this on 
a public Forum?  Do they think this sort of language and discourse somehow 
elevates or exalts their position?  Do they think it strengthens their other 
comments, or improves their standing in the hiking community?

    I assure them this is not the case, and that when one's public writings 
descend to the gutter level, it merely dishonors the author, and performs a 
dis-service to the Forum in question.

    Once again, thanks to Kahley for a well-written letter, and thanks to 
the many folks who've written me off-list with their comments and support.  
I trust we can now move on to more worthwhile things, but in case there are 
those who wish to continue this unfortunate---and needless---debate, well, 
they'll have to do it without me.  Even if it wasn't 3 days to Christamas, 
I'd still have more important things to do.

                 Best wishes to all for a great holiday season, and
                         a healthy, happy, and amicable New Year

                                         --Jack Tarlin
                                            Hanover, NH



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