[at-l] Reply to Solar Bear:

[baltimorejack@hotmail.com (Jack Tarlin)]

    Was gonna let this one go by, as Felix already replied to it quite well, 
but I feel compelled to respond the to the extraordinary comments expressed 
by Solar Bear.

    In commenting on the Doyle matter, SB writes (and no ellipses, this is a 
direct quote):

    "In my opinion, which I expressed to the board, we did see some ugliness 
that Friday night.  No, not in the poetry that Warren read, but in the 
intolerance shown by those who walked out and expressed their disgust."

    Well, that's his opinion.  I'd like to ask SB why he thinks the reaction 
of much of the crowd was "intolerant."  Were they supposed to sit there, 
rapt and adoring, thrilled and honored to be hearing the pearls of beauty 
and truth dropping from Warren's lips?  Were they supposed to join Mr. Bear 
in applause for what they'd just heard?   Were they supposed to feel 
gratitude that they were privileged to hear such things?

    Give me a break, OK?  There was nothing, I repeat NOTHING rude, ugly, or 
intolerant about walking out on the pathetic performance of an 
attention-starved egotist who gave not a moments thought to the feelings, 
sentiments, and considerations of the hundreds of people in his captive 
audience, who were forced to listen to his blatherings, regardless of their 
tone, or content.  And there was nothing brave about Doyle's 
comments----arrogance would be more like it:  He knew perfectly well how his 
comments would come off; he knew perfectly well how his comments would 
affect many of the people in the room; he knew perfectly well how offensive 
and patently insulting his comments would be taken by much of his 
audience---and he goes ahead and does it anyway.  This isn't courage, SB, it 
is instead arrogance, pride, and complete inconsideration of the feelings of 
anyone other than himself.

     Solar Bear seems to think this kind of public display is some sort of 
profile in courage.  What complete, unmitigated bullshit.  Warren did what 
he did because he felt it was his place to do so; he's taken advantage of an 
open mike at the Gathing in the past, for years he's considered ALDHA to be 
his plaything.  In the past tho, he's merely made us squirm by reading lousy 
poetry.  This time, he had to go a bit further; he REALLY wanted people to 
remember this particular performance.

    Well, I assure Solar Bear that in this, at any rate, he was 
spectacularly successful.  They've remembered so well that it'll hopefully 
be his LAST public performance.  The ALDHA Board, acting in a perfectly just 
and sensible manner, has decided that Mr. Doyle is temperamentally unfit to 
be entrusted with the privilege of an open microphone.  In future, if folks 
wish to share his wit and wisdom, if they wish to hear the same tired 
stories yet one more time; if they wish to see him impersonate Alex Trebek; 
if they wish to hear about his heroics as a speed hiker several decades ago; 
if they wish to hear advice and tips from a man whose best known trail 
partner is a van filled with gear; if they wish to hear about how much fun 
it is to allegedly thru-hike as part of a pre-planned, orchestrated, guided, 
cult-oriented, group slackpack----well, guess what?  They'll have the right 
to do so, provided the audience in question decides they wish to hear such 
things.  Nobody is preventing Doyle from talking, SB.  He's always had ample 
opportunity to speak at the Gathering, in fact, over the years, he's 
probably been allotted more time as a speaker and lecturer than anyone else.

   The difference is that from here on in, people can decide for themselves 
whether or not they wish to be exposed to him.  I find it remarkable that 
Solar Bear, in his efforts to plant kisses on every conceivable square inch 
of Warren's nether regions, actually invoked such artists as Crosby, Stills; 
Jimmy Buffett; and Simon and Garfunkel.
What SB seems to have forgotten is that when one is listening to music that 
one doesn't wish to hear, you can simply change stations or shut off the 
radio.  And there's nothing "ugly" or "intolerant" about doing so---you're 
not preventing these folks from making music or money; you're not preventing 
others from listening to them.  You're merely exercising your rights by 
refusing to listen, by refusing to be held a captive in their audience.  
Shutting off the radio or leaving a room you find uncomfortable is not 
intolerant----on the contrary, it's merely exercising one's freedom to not 
have offensive speech or material FORCED on you.

    In closing, SB is entitled to his opinion, but I find it remarkable that 
in informing us of our ugliness and intolerance, he said not a single word 
critical of Warren's public behavior.  So yes, he's entitled to his opinion, 
as well as his fawning appreciation of the gentleman in question.  Of 
course, he may well be alone in his estimation, but no doubt he feels that 
at least he's being courageous.

    Swimming against the tide is not, as some seem to believe, an inherently 
noble, brave, or admirable thing to do.  Sometimes, it's merely the behavior 
of a fool.  But I'm sure it's consolation to Mr. Doyle that on his present 
channel crossing, he's not without a partner.
Bon voyage, gents.  Have a pleasant journy, and stay away as long as you 
like.




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