Y'all
Angie's message would have been an excellent post without revealing any
names. Common sense requires us to support a doctrine of fair play, if for
no other reason, it doesn't smack of favoritism. It seems that many of our
folks have been attacked for doing the same things and using the same words
as the shrieking minority. I strongly believe that Angie has hit the nail
on the head. Some folks, since the inception of the NCGenWeb Project, have
sought to divide and subvert the original concept of our Project. They have
used the "Disgust" list to further stir trouble and have caused many good
folks to leave.
I think what Angie was saying, in a way, was we that we have been observing
Alice B Toklas' suggestion: "What is sauce for the goose may be sauce for
the gander but is not necessarily sauce for the chicken, the duck, the
turkey." Perhaps its time for chickens, ducks and turkeys to tell the goose
that they have their own opinions---privately. This list was created for
DISCUSSION not for DISSECTION, DISCORD and DISLOYALTY.
The most telling trait of our Project family is that by a very significant
majority, CCs just want to be left alone to help others and do their pages.
They couldn't care less who's servers are housing whatever. Most members
of our Project are really tired of the one-sided sniping. That's why this
"Disgust" list has slipped to thirty-six subscribers out of a total
possible eighty-five--a readership of about 42% !!!
The vast majority of our folks do a tremendous job and have the pages to
show for it. The majority of our folks make 0% of the complaints. Those not
subbed to the Disgust list are probably unaware of the fussing and fighting
that has made the NCGenWeb Project the poster child for Internet discord .
Sadly, a small minority has chosen to try and impose its will on the
majority. Some have even ingratiated themselves with some of our newer
members, choosing to recruit new supporters for their "side" in this
six-year period of dissension. Our Project should be a team, not a small
faction battling for some kind of ego boost. The Project transcends
personalities.
As they say, the proof is in the pudding. Tracy raised some good points
about checking one's own barn first to make sure the smell isn't coming
from there. Some pages were discovered to have dead links and the wrong
server logo. Some pages have used links without permission--some links are
dead. One page proudly proclaims Conover to be the county seat of Catawba.
While I am flattered thay my home town would be so honored--it is NOT where
the courthouse is. I don't have to be confused on my 3,174 pages--they have
the NCGenWeb and USGenWeb Project logos on their pages.
Since we are composed of about 85 individuals, I'm sure we could begin to
operate this organization by Roberts Rules of Order, taking motions from
the floor and setting up rules for voting, tabulating, etc. I truly want to
see a representative form of operation. Some folks have complained about
democracy not being a part of the NCGenWeb Project. To dispel that
argument, I suggest we operate in a more open manner and organize the
procedures I noted, above.
My full term of office ends in July, 2004. If this Project is able to come
to grips with the tyranny of the minority by the end of my first year, I
will gladly step aside and put the position up for election. This was
voted on by our Project--and enacted. Until then, I will be here trying to
end the chaos. If half-a-dozen folks can disrupt the activities of the
majority, there is still work to be done.
Also, I would like someone to volunteer to be Secretary for the NCGenWeb
Project.
Cordially,
Derick S. Hartshorn,
SC NCGenWeb Project
CC: Burke/Catawba Co.
At 05:00 PM 9/1/02, you wrote:
Diane, you've made the statement before that you have the right to
express
your opinions on this list, and I had to agree with you. You have that
right, regardless of who may agree or disagree with the opinion you
express, and regardless of who may or may not agree that it's a worthwhile
use of time to continue some topics of discussion. But at the same time,
if you have that right, so does everyone else on this list.
If you choose to believe that anyone who disagrees with you is somehow not
supportive The NCGenWeb Project (heaven forbid anyone save some keystrokes
by using an abbreviation on a closed list), then you by all means can make
that accusation on the list any time you choose. But by doing so, you must
be willing to allow people to disagree with you and accuse you, on the
list, of whatever motivations they choose to infer from your statements.
In my opinion, all that can result is a lot of hard feelings and constant
bickering back and forth, but by all means, exercise your right to insult
your fellow CCs by making statements that sound as though you believe you
are the only person with the best interests of The NCGenWeb Project at
heart. I'm sometimes surprised you wish to associate with such a horrible
group of ingrates as you seem to find as all to be.
Angie
At 10:35 PM 8/31/2002 -0400, diane wrote:
>I suggest you attempt to judge yourself first...and then if.....
>
>But mostly, do you love the NCGenWeb Project, and want to see it grow and
>prosper or do you just prefer censorship and bashing of anyone who has a
>"thinking" mind and desires to have people stand behind what they say.
>
>diane
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: <CDZ4U(a)aol.com>
>
> > Diane- Have you seriously nothing better to do?? Didn't your mother ever
> > teach you "If you can't say something nice...Don't say anything at
all"?
> > Apparantely not.
> > Stop being so bitter and looking for things to non-stop complain about.
> >
> > Oh, and Have a nice day!! :)