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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Wally, first, I would never characterize someone's
participation in a public opinion forum as "trolling," that is an example of
intolerance embraced primarily by internet totalitarians of the left. I
would simply suggest to you that should you wish to be taken seriously as a
thinker, you might want to address another's points substantively rather than
simply using smug and condescending one - liners like finding my words
abhorrent. What words? Abhorrent for what reason? Like
your insistence that my writings are un-American, anti-American and, GASP!
evil. Again Wally, what words and why, specifically? You cluck that
I have vomited on this forum. Again, no specific statement or position is
cited. An intellectual would at least attempt to elaborate.
Incredible hubris, you blurt, but still no reference whatsoever as to what you
are referring to. Ignorant abuse of free speech, you wail, but you let it
go at that. I use the first amendment to wipe my ass, you advise, as your
fit of emotional masturbation reaches a fever pitch. And as you cascade
over the edge of reason, you conclude with, personal jihad!!
Hate!!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>It is bad enough that you haven't the courage to
sign your name. The Lewiston Tribune frequently advises readers that they
should give anonymous letters the "consideration they are due," meaning
none. While I don't agree with that position when they regularly
rely on sources who "chose to remain anonymous," it still seems reasonable
to ask you to be more specific than the local pet shop parrot who squawks
cliché's mindlessly.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>-Tony</FONT></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
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<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=don.nergal@gmail.com href="mailto:don.nergal@gmail.com">Walter
Smith</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=vision2020@moscow.com
href="mailto:vision2020@moscow.com">vision2020@moscow.com</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Monday, April 16, 2007 9:52
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> [Vision2020] Taking the
bait</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>Keely, your words as always are both eloquent and wise. I
greatly appreciate the service you have long rendered to our community, and
your continued efforts to better us all. You stand as an example of what a
true Christian is, and should you ever again seek public office, you will have
my vote. <BR><BR>Ellen, thank you for your kind words, and for many wonderful
memories of pasta past. I'm sure that Larry's new restaurant will be
excellent, but it will never be the same.<BR><BR>Tony, you caught me, and have
exposed me for what I am, a human. I make mistakes, I really do. I have
misspelled words, I have abused grammatical rules, I make typos, I even use
the wrong word from time to time. I would be a failure as an English teacher,
were I one; and I have even been known to be flat-out wrong. Please accept my
apologies, I will endeavor to be more careful with my use of polysyllabic
terms in the future. <BR><BR>Now, onto the actual reason for my failure to
leave as I had intended. I know I should not feed the troll, but as I seem to
be playing the part of a troll myself, what harm could there be? (Don't answer
that.) <BR><BR>I came here in anger, as I have said before. The anger that
brought my here was not anger at Tony, rather it was anger directed at someone
whom I would rather not be angry with. Practically everything Tony says makes
me angry, however, and I could not resist taking digs at him every step of the
way. I threw the opening salvo, he did not. I am hiding behind technology, he
is not. I did not expect, nor did I want, a friendly response from him, and I
still don't. Indeed, were I to receive one, I would have good cause to
reevaluate my own beliefs. <BR><BR>Carl hit the nail on the head when he
posted what I will paraphrase as "criticism is not censorship." I find your
words abhorrent Tony, but I would not try to prevent you from saying them.
Much of what you have written I see as un-American, anti-American, and evil
(loaded words, if ever there were); but I do not believe the government or
myself have any right to suppress them. I do not understand your need to vomit
upon this forum, but I do not question your right to do so. I believe you
display incredible hubris, and will ultimately be held to account, but I will
not be the one to settle such an account, nor will any human. It seems to me
that the world would be a better place if you slithered back to the dank abyss
from whence you sprung, and you would be a better person for doing so, but I
will not force you back there. I am no supporter of enforced political
correctness, far from it, but I also despise ignorant abuse of free speech. I
have no problem with the First Amendment, I do have a problem with you using
it to wipe your ass. Go on, try to mold the language to your filthy ideals,
just don't expect any congratulations from me. <BR><BR>Similarly, I believe
that abortion is rarely justified, and will ultimately be punished if
unjustified (not by mankind,) but I do not presume to dictate bodily choices.
I can also see that your personal jihad can never achieve what you desire (as
no jihad can,) and would only make matters worse if you were to succeed. Do
you really think that outlawing abortion will reduce abortion rates? All that
such a ban would accomplish is to drive abortions underground, making them all
the more horrific. I ask you, if a fetus is to be killed (and they will be,
regardless of your wishes, mine, or anyone else's); would it be better done
under anesthesia, by a professional, or in a back alley with a septic coat
hanger? What would be the more compassionate choice? <BR><BR>The world is not
black and white, Tony. I learned that nearly a lifetime ago, when will
you?<BR><BR>In all truth, I do not consider Tony an inhuman monster, I'm sure
that he believes what he says, and thinks he is doing good. But until he
demonstrates some basic adult understanding, and recognizes his hate for what
it actually is, I will continue to treat him disrespectfully. (Yes, I do see
the irony.) <BR><BR>Sincerely,<BR>A flawed human<BR>
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