[pct-l] O.d. COYOTE....Slackpacking the O.d. Coyote way.

[Jim and/or Ginny Owen]

Greg wrote:
>(Yeah, I guess I'm trying say that my way of arguing is better than 
>somebody else's way, so I'm not following HYOH principles when it comes to 
>arguments--I'm trying to get everyone to argue my way!

We all think "our way" is best - generally until someone kicks us in the 
appropriate place.

>To me, character assassination goes something like this:  Someone says 
>something to me that I disagree with.  Instead of discussing the points of 
>that topic and pointing out where and why I disagree with him, I end up 
>making statements that attempt to ridicule the person, or question his 
>intelligence or character, or belittle the person, or shame the person.

There are nastier versions - a couple examples -

1. a hiker who attacks someone in their journal while they're on the trail.  
Custom and courtesy require that the victim NOT answer as long as that hiker 
is on the trail.  So there is no way to respond to the attack - if one even 
finds out about the attack.  Been there, had that happen.  Twice.  It won't 
happen to me again because, courtesy be damned, that kind of attack will 
show up on the appropriate list - along with a response.

2. a hiker who makes up lies and then spreads them very quietly in places 
that they know their "victim" doesn't frequent.  Or via private email.  
That's slander - and legally actionable if one so chooses.  Been there, had 
that happen.


>Here are some examples from recent posts.  I've chosen some from both 
>sides, so you can see that it goes both ways.
>
>"Since he's a lot smarter than you, maybe you should pay more attention to 
>him. "  <---- insulting the person's intelligence instead of sticking to 
>the topic being discussed

Yup - that was a cheap shot.  And I apologize to the list for that.

It's not a good reason and certainly not an excuse, but I was a little hot 
last night.  I don't get that way often anymore - at least not as often as I 
used to.   But one of the several things that lit my fire about this garbage 
was that Ginny and I have been the target of a character assassination 
campaign for the last several years.  And it continues.


>Don't get me wrong, I'm totally in favor of discussing things--even arguing 
>about things--that we disagree about.  But my hope is that we could 
>maintain some kind of respect towards each other.  Treat each other with 
>kindness even.

That would be nice - too bad it didn't happen here last week.

>We're of the same tribe, sure we can disagree, but I have hope that we can 
>love each other in the process.  Or at least treat each other with respect 
>and kindness.

I've carried this with me for a long time - it applies -

>The bond that links your true family is not one of blood,
>but of joy and respect in each others life.  Rarely do members of one 
>family  grow up under the same roof.

But I also keep in mind that many, if not most, families are dysfunctional 
and that every every family tree (including mine) has its share of liars, 
pirates, drunks, con men and horsethieves. Why should the thruhiking family 
be any different?

>One last point:  I ain't no saint.

I've never met a saint.  I don't expect I ever will meet one.

Thank you,
Jim


http://www.spiriteaglehome.com/

_________________________________________________________________
See what you’re getting into…before you go there 
http://newlivehotmail.com/?ocid=TXT_TAGHM_migration_HM_viral_preview_0507