Gene, I don't think anyone has a problem with honest disagreement over
methodology or interpretation. It is the name-calling and mud-slinging that
has no place in a forum like this. Thanks so much for your apology -- and as
far as I am concerned, it's accepted. :-) Let's get back to Carpenter
genealogy now. :-)
~~Anne
----- Original Message -----
From: <GeneZub(a)aol.com>
To: <CARPENTER-L(a)rootsweb.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 24, 2002 1:34 PM
Subject: [CARPENTER] Re: Unpleasant arguments on the list
I apologize to those mailing-list subscribers who feel that I have
contributed to the recent unpleasantness. Since the conversation between
Bruce and me has passed the point of containing anything edifying to list
members, I have done as suggested and responded to Bruce's most recent
message with one sent directly to him.
Over the last year or so, my main purpose in participating in this list
has
been to provide a counterweight to the misinformation that continues
to
contaminate Carpenter genealogy. Despite my deep concern over the
potential
for harm in undisciplined speculations couched as virtual
certainties, I
believe my initial replies to Bruce have invariably been civil, while
nevertheless direct (for which I do not apologize). I have, however, been
guilty of responding to personal remarks with some of my own (for which I
do
apologize). (As list members of long standing know, there is a
history
here.)
In the future, I will attempt to curb the impulse to respond in kind. I
nevertheless continue to believe that direct, explicit expressions of
disagreement--on grounds of content and methodology--are not simply
appropriate but essential to productive, rational discourse, and I don't
expect to moderate my replies in that respect.
Gene Z.