[Vision2020] Re: Fiat Lux

Sat Feb 5 00:28:12 PST 2005

Fiat Lux, et al,
I sometimes feel remiss in my not being to be more "active" in the threads
and discussion that occur on V2020.  Too often I find myself pressed to time
because I have a business to run and look for ways to "increase efficiency."
Too often this can lead to not speaking up because of priorities and the
ease of silence.  I truly appreciate the time many on this forum take in
there responses (there are also those I feel need to take more time in
formulating their opinions, but the is my personality and not that of the
quick witted) and in the occasional necessary action.

As far as using one's name on the forum, it is a relatively mute point in
helping with a true definition of one's identity on this forum.  As far as
it making someone's opinion or value any greater or less worthy, seems
shallow to me.  Anyone should be able to express themselves in any
"harmless" manner neccessary.  I don't care much whether someone posts
anonimously.  If I do, I'd try to round 'em up and ask "Why?"  I take what I
hear on V2020 (as with any other medium) with my own personal filters on.
This is not my gospel, I would hope it is not anyone's.

Part of my background makes me look at life for patterns.  If I (or anyone)
thinks about this forum, development of Moscow, lighting, gay marriages,
Douglas Stambler, NSA, MAC, MSD, 1912, BID, art, culture, food, housing,
zoning, Iraq, GWB, economy, tsunami, Jonny Carson, or water - it can be
fairly easy to determine certain patterns.  If we take some of the easy ones
of: frequency, relative quality, time period (longevity, or persistance of
concept), personal priority, "real" importance - we can come up with our own
lists.  We can all identify with what we see, hear and smell "all" the time
(frequency); it's crappy or great, as far as I know (relative quality); man,
will this never leave? - is there no response? - that was a long time ago!
(longevity, or POC); that's why it's great! - why bother? (personal
priority); thousands dead - why bother? ("real" importance).

I can look at myself and define my own patterns.  I understand (compare
"know") my frequency, quality, longevity, priorities, and - "real"
importance, I'm always trying to figure that one out.  I have even planned
out some patterns...if certain things do or do not happen, others are
supposed to follow suit.  But going back to importance, I don't know which
is which yet.  Of those patterns (positive and negative) that I perceive
occuring, some resonate with me more than others and I will tend to pay
attention to those, hence my inactivity in other areas.

"Truth is found in cultural myths and mores", Peter Vincent.  The frequency
in which I hear this borne out on DSL is beyond equal to my TV.  Most likely
because of the frequency of my connection, but just the idea that V2020 is
my CBS News (filtered of course!), leads me to question my own sanity.
Should I be so hooked up?  I can turn it off anytime I choose, but just like
TV, I have eternal hope that just around the corner something better will
show.  Carson's show continued without him, but I changed the channel to
Letterman.

There are a number of V2020 posters that are my Letterman (I just had to
wait it out, I didn't need to change the channel.)  I won't make a list,
because it's just "my" list.  And not that it's "real" important, but those
I post back to happen to be on a certain frequency.  Those that don't post
back are on a different one, just as those are who'll post back in four
days - it's not "real" important, it might just be a personal priority.

How much longer would Doug Stambler have faired with a psuedonym?  Surely
there were other issues involved, but he did try to hang on.  Oh, yeah, he
did use other names...never mind.  In my clearest terms: I don't care what
your name is, just post.  Personally, in my desire for "increased
efficiency" I would hope that it would be constructive, but I don't care.
When I find time I'll respond and if I don't, well I've just got other
things to do.

Mark

Mark Seman, Architect
Heather Seman, Landscape Architect
1404 East 'F' Street  Moscow, Idaho 83843
v 208-883-3276 / f 208-883-0112

-----Original Message-----
From: vision2020-bounces at moscow.com
[mailto:vision2020-bounces at moscow.com]On Behalf Of Fiat Lux
Sent: Friday, February 04, 2005 5:00 PM
To: vision2020 at moscow.com
Subject: [Vision2020] Re: Fiat Lux

To whom it may concern et al.,

Please allow one other reason for identity
concealment.  That being, the case of a person who has
been the victim of domestic violence and fears for
their safety and that of their child because the
perpetrator is no longer incarcerated.  Use of a
pseudonym allows participation in internet forums such
as this while affording some modicum of security.  I
am being completely serious here.  I would not wish
what we have suffered on any of you.

Thank you Mr. Moffett for your open mindedness and
understanding.  I hold you in high esteem because of
your willingness to permit me to express my thoughts
here under a nom de plume.

By the way, writing under a pen name is not as
disreputable as some would try to make it out to be.
Anyone out there ever heard of Silence Dogood?
 Without Freedom of Thought, there can be no such
Thing as Wisdom; and no such Thing as public Liberty,
without Freedom of Speech. 
  Benjamin  Franklin , 1722 -printed in The
New-England Courant, Boston, Massachusetts...under the
pseudonym Silence Dogood

It is regrettable that there are those among you who
feel threatened or uncomfortable because they do not
know anything more about me than the words I type
here.   my comments not to be taken at face value.  I
have not been malicious or off topic.

Let me assure you that I am no one you have known
before.  I am distinct from all others who post (or
have posted)here.
I am not a member of Christ Church, or any other
organised religion for that matter.  I do not now
hold, or I aspire to hold public office.   I am not a
local business owner.  Nor, am I the "smartest person
on earth".  I am simply a member of this community
with concerns for its future.

Vision 2020's stated purpose:
"Moscow Vision 2020 is an informal, multi-partisan
group of Moscow residents formed in 1993 to encourage
more public information and debate about the future of
Moscow and Latah County. We do make a difference!!!
Join us in helping to participate in the future of our
community."

Sometimes I wonder if everyone who posts here
understands that  to be the purpose of this forum.
There is not much constructive discussion going on
here.  I have even noticed several callow posters are
prone to insult and tear down others whom they deem
"lesser than" or just plain wrong.  Worse yet, some
members actually seem to gang up on enemies, real or
imagined.

I submit, if I may, that the immaturity some want to
attribute to me is more strongly manifested in the
behavior of some others on this board.  In fact, I
think the tone of Mr. Meyer's post hints at the
viciousness that lurks in the realm of Vision 2020.
It is really too bad.  More people might join in the
discussion if they felt less likely to be attacked for
having a different opinion (or an unacceptable name).
 Again, just my thoughts.  By all means, please
disregard me if that's what you need to do.

Yours truly,
Fiat Lux

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