[at-l] This 'n that.....

[saunterer@jimbullard.org (saunterer@jimbullard.org)]

At 07:50 PM 1/18/02 -0500, Felix wrote:
>"May we observe a moment of silence for Don West, friend of ALDHA, who passed
>away? Thank you."  Wow, that works.

Amen.

If Warren felt compelled to read some of Mr. West's poetry in tribute, why 
not a poem that was not inflammatory and hurtful to many present. How about 
"Funeral Notes" <http://www.aldha.org/donwest3.htm>.  That would have 
suited both as a tribute to Mr. West and been appropriate to the 
situation.  It seems that the poem chosen was a deliberate statement in 
reference to the events of 9/11 despite the disclaimer by Warren that the 
words were not his.  It was an insensitive and foolish act.  I see no 
courage in that, only callus indifference to the mood of the Gathering.

As I said before, this was my first gathering.  Before that night I held 
Warren Doyle in high regard based on what I had read of him.  Sitting there 
that night,  I first wondered what I had gotten into, coming into a group 
that shared this hatred of our country.  As it quickly became evident that 
others were equally uncomfortable I began to wonder what sort of fellow 
would deliberately offend fellow hikers in this fashion.  Attending his 
lecture on thru-hiking I concluded that Warren is a person of high passion 
who apparently lacks the self control to temper his opinions with 
sensitivity to the feelings of others.

I wish Warren no ill.  I respect his contributions to the AT and ALDHA but 
his tirade was wrong.  It was neither the time or place and his lack of 
judgment should bar him from future opportunities to do the same.  It was 
certainly nothing to be applauded and I did not.

sAunTerer