When I came to town 2 years ago, I found out about Vision2020 and joined for a brief period of time. I remember being horrified by the amount of vitriol and incivility I encountered then, and I still feel pretty much the same.
<br><br>But I'm back, because someone was talking about me. =)<br><br>I'm a gen-whateverer (21 and change), and I don't have the sorts of conversations y'all are trying to have via e-mail. When I was in HS I noticed that a lot of drama came from e-mail and IM conversations. I don't know why, but it was impossible to communicate certain things. No body language, maybe? Anyway, if I want to talk to someone about something important, I pick up the phone. Or meet them in person. It's easier to be charitable and understanding.
<br><br>Ha, I was just reminded of a cartoon I saw. I've looked it up for y'all:<br>(WARNING: Not 'work safe'. Contains bad language, and really juvenile humor. In 2004 I thought swear words were hilarious. =) )<br><a href="http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2004/03/19">
http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2004/03/19</a><br><br>People are pretty courageous when they have the relative anonymity of the internet. (An aside: I hate totally anonymous e-mailers. Have the courage of your convictions, please!) I wonder about some of the posters here. Would they say the things they say in their e-mails to their recipients if they were face to face?
<br><br>Maybe there's a place on the internet where intelligent discourse happens. I don't think this has ever been it, no matter what Mrrs. Metzler and London say.<br><br>I'm just doing my thing, trying to *build something* (specifically a stationery business with a retail presence downtown). And as long as I think someone on this list might try to bring it down, I'm going to keep scanning the Vision2020 e-mails while they are on their way to my everlovin recycle bin.
<br><br>-Austin<br><br>PS: I'm not saying it's all bad, all the time, or that everyone is contributing to the tone. The tone is generally pretty rotten, but enjoyable posts come along every once in awhile. For instance, I usually enjoy Mr. Crabtree's.
<br><br><div><span class="gmail_quote">On 6/2/06, <b class="gmail_sendername">Bill London</b> <<a href="mailto:london@moscow.com">london@moscow.com</a>> wrote:</span><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
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<div><font face="Arial" size="2">I have heard from a few people lately who think
V2020 is doomed. The horrible mean-spirited postings of late have
disgusted many of us. What is to be done?</font></div>
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<div>I haven't given up on V2020. I think we need to deal with the
present problem on V2020. The problem is that following the Lewiston
Tribune feature, a couple of hot-head arch-conservatives decided to have some
fun with the liberals in Moscow. So they joined and started
screaming. And we jumped for the bait. What I suggest is that we
practice what Doug Wilson is so clever at using...old-fashioned shunning.
We should all stop responding to the postings from tony and dick. This
tactic has worked before on V2020. I would suggest trying it again.</div>
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<div><font face="Arial" size="2">BL</font></div></div>
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<br><br></blockquote></div><br><br clear="all"><br>-- <br>Austin Storm<br>Sky Cow Books<br>P.O. Box 9128 Moscow, Idaho 83843<br>208.596.5752 work | 678.550.5503 fax