[Vision2020] Stop . . . in the name of megalomania

[John Carnahan]

Let's see if a chronology of events will help us understand the complaint
that all Wilson wants is attention from the Moscow/Pullman community:

1. Seven  years ago, Wilson co-authors two booklets, one a historical
perspective on the War Between the States and slavery, and the other a
theological position paper on the outrage of racism.

2. During this seven year period (and before), Christ Church annually hosts
a history conference (bringing thousands of dollars to community businesses
and many folks to visit the beautiful Palouse), never once on
the theme of slavery. Topics unrelated to the conference theme (including
slavery) are sometimes discussed during comparatively brief Q&A sessions.
Slavery is derided as an institution which needed to be ended in a biblical
fashion, and that every form of racism is evil.

3. Several weeks ago, someone (who remains anonymous) delivers a pamphlet to
the Daily News erroneously inferring that the conference is tied to slavery
(and ignoring the anti-racism booklet).

4. The Daily News picks this up as a news item, offering several articles on
the subject. In the beginning they infer that the conference is on slavery.
They defend their decision not to run an official correction to their
erroneous inference,
using the "Well, we didn't actually *say*..." defense.

5. Wilson gives "the rest of the story" to visionaries and in the Daily
News. In this spirit, the board at Christ Church offers a Q&A session to the
community for those who want to hear the full story directly from the
source, and then make their own determinations.

6.  After many attacks in which she draws attention to Wilson, Joan says,
"Rather than indulge Doug in yet another round of free publicity, I suggest
that the good citizens of Moscow skip this "town" meeting...  If we want a
new center of attention, then we should turn our attention elsewhere."

Attack, then attempt to discourage clarifying discussion for those who may
want it.  Is this the way of open dialogue and tolerance?

John Carnahan

----- Original Message -----
From: "Joan Opyr" <auntiestablishment@hotmail.com>
To: <vision2020@moscow.com>
Sent: Thursday, December 04, 2003 2:23 PM
Subject: [Vision2020] Stop . . . in the name of megalomania


> Doug Jones writes:
>
> >Good try, Rose, but it's never been about slavery or Doug Wilson. Those
are
> >just convenient little >slots for those who try to hide their hatred for
> >the historic Christian gospel. Just be honest. The >booklet and all the
> >disputants in this discussion will be forgotten in under forty years, but
> >the basic >controversy will keep going for millennia. A little secular
> >self-consciousness would be a grand help >to civility.
>
> Rubbish.  What it's about, if you'll excuse my secular incivility, is
> getting one's ass in a sling.  First the pamphlet, then the discussion,
and
> now these hectoring newspaper ads -- like a geeky teenager who fantasizes
> about taking Lara Croft to the prom, you're giving off the distinct whiff
of
> desperation.
>
> Rather than indulge Doug in yet another round of free publicity, I suggest
> that the good citizens of Moscow skip this "town" meeting and adjourn
> instead to the Coeur d'Alene Brewing Company (or any other ale house of
> their choice) for pints of beer and platters of hot wings.  Moscow is
about
> more than Doug and his neo-Confederate pals, but we've allowed him to
shine
> the community spotlight on himself as if we were all pop-eyed evangelists
> with delusions of grandeur.  If we want a new center of attention, then we
> should turn our attention elsewhere.  The fruit of the hop vine.  The wing
> of the buffalo.  Doesn't that sound nicer than the festival of hot air?
>
> Cheers, or rather, bottoms up,
>
> Joan Opyr/Auntie Establishment
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> Shop online for kids' toys by age group, price range, and toy category at
> MSN Shopping. No waiting for a clerk to help you! http://shopping.msn.com
>
> _____________________________________________________
>  List services made available by First Step Internet,
>  serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.
>                http://www.fsr.net
>           mailto:Vision2020@moscow.com
> ŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻ
>