98-01-08; Chris Hill writes:

<<<<<
On Thu, 8 Jan 1998, Dale Goble wrote:

> I have thought for some time that those who believed that computer
> technology would bring a rise in "democratic" relationships were naive:
> the person who controls the technology controls the relationships and can
> be as democratic or as totalitarian as she or he desires.
>
> dale goble
> moscow
>>>>>

98-01-08, Chris Hill replies:

>>>
As happens so often with e-mail, it's unclear (to me at least) if the
above is a random comment, or a personal attack.

I'll just chip in that if we've got a despot, let's thank our lucky stars
that we've got one as benevolent and competent as Dan Victor.
>>>

Chris -- I'm glad you responded so incredibly tactfully as you did here.
Brilliant! Dale Goble's statement struck me *exactly* the same way. I didn't
know for sure how to read or interpret the remarks. A 'Freeman-sider' home to
roost? '-) It kind of agitated me and I quietly snarled around for a moment,
then just deleted it. I was surprised then and delighted to read your reply.
Thanks for the due credit given to Dan Victor!! You expressed your reply so
well that on a scale of 1-10, without doubt it's a *10* :-))) Chris Hill --
what a diplomat!! Have you ever thought about running for Governor? '-)

I promised myself to stay out of this 'change' issue btw, but.... I'm quite
happy with however this whole thing resolves itself. The issue is quite
trivial to me; a non-issue. Worries about losing discussion in a private
exchange seems a bit unfounded. I mean, look at this bloody thread!! It's
like the 'pink bunny' -- it just keeps going and going and going....
Apparently the very tweets who worry most about the change are managing quite
nicely. Replying to [tweeters] on this 'change' thread is sort of a 'practice
exercise' I'd say :-))

All I know is that Tweeters is a great means of communicating in a state and
region, and especially this Puget Sound area quagmire which is so wretchedly
fractured with with National Audubon groups/chapters and WOS groups/chapters.
Birders and their loyalties are scattered all over the place and many of us
seldom have other means of meeting or communicating. At least for those of us
who are computer users, Tweeters is the bond which brings so many of us
together from throughout the PacNW region including Alaska, and for me, after
15 years of being horribly lonely, miserable, and feeling alienated as a
birder around this place [was: damned place], at least for once I feel like I
sort of belong to a group of like-minded and interesting individuals who are
willing to take time and share so much of their knowledge, insight, opinion.

So ditto Chris. I can't possibly say it any better, so I'll just repeat it;
"I'll just chip in that if we've got a despot, let's thank our lucky stars
that we've got one as benevolent and competent as Dan Victor." BRAVO!
Sincerely, Richard Rowlett

Richard Rowlett (Pagodroma at aol.com)
47.56N, 122.13W
(Seattle/Bellevue, WA USA)
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Tweeters isn't just an adventure; it's a job! :-))
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