h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Well, Empty, I'd like to take this conversation out of the Iraq thread and let it go back to being the Iraq thread. We can continue to accuse each other of things, and then deny them vehemently to each other, but that'll get boring - I'm tired of it, and you probably are too!

Specifically, I wanted to address the problem that's got us all riled up. I thought that you had responded in an unjust manner to Starbirth's medication use.

"He quite clearly attempted to attribute his errors to his medication and then later back-tracked on it. "

What you said first was something along the lines of 'if you can't be coherent on this thread, why do you even bother?' I thought that was a terrible thing to say, and so I replied.

"There's never been even the merest hint that I believe any of those things. You castigated me but failed to mention any of that nonsense from Starbirth, why?"

I have never gotten the impression that Starbirth is accusing you of 'saying' these things. Starbirth expounded upon your comment - not accusing you of saying that the Special Olympics were a waste of time, but taking the idea that 'if you're on pain medication, you shouldn't bother trying to communicate with anyone' and taking it to its ultimate level. I thought it was a bit far fetched, but justified, considering the tone of your post. He was trying, in his fumble-fingered way, to make you see what the implications of your statement were.

Since it's obvious to me now (to my relief) that you don't actually think that people on medication have nothing to offer the world, the best thing - in my opinion - would have been to apologize, and restate your question.

"Lastly, when have I ever said, or even implied, "that all Americans are evil"??? You have a significant blind spot when it comes to either interpreting, understanding or remembering the things people say."

That was my little attempt at humor, but it fell rather flat. I can retort by replying that you've failed to interpret, understand or remember anything I say... and then you could say that back to me, and then... etc. And then we could slap each other silly and call it a day. Personally, I'd rather come to a pleasant understanding of both our positions and leave it at that. You've taken this antagonistic position toward me, which I just don't understand. It's okay for two people to disagree with each other, and you don't have to feel threatened when another questions your opinions.

Here's a response that I've already written to Apparition. Some of it applies, and some of it is specific to him.



First of all, if you have a problem with what Starbirth said, that's between you and him/her. I spoke up because I felt that Empty was doing Starbirth an injustice. He's never apologized for his statement, and still doesn't realize what he did wrong. Starbirth's reaction seemed justified, from that perspective. I see from Empty's protests that he didn't actually mean what he said - it just came out wrong. But it's up to him, not me, to resolve that issue with Starbirth.

I'm not anybody's mommy! If you or Empty have a problem with Starbirth's comments, go right ahead, speak up, and have it out with him. If I felt that Starbirth acted unjustly, then I'd say something. I would hope that if I acted unjustly, somebody would tell me! I know that both you and Empty think that Starbirth spoke out of turn. If Empty were to apologize for his earlier comment, and Starbirth responded with a spiteful, hateful post, then I would 'castigate' Starbirth. It's as simple as that.

Calling you a sanctimonious little twit who needed to grow up? That's between you and him. It's unkind, but it's not prejudiced, which is what got my back hairs up in the first place.

I know you've commented on my 'favoritism.' Because I always stick up for the Americans? Don't be ridiculous. I want you to understand that the reason I spoke up is because I had a problem with your behavior and Empty's behavior, not because you're from someplace besides the U.S. Heck - I don't even know where you're from! Is it New Zealand?

If you look at the last ten LED's on the post list, you'll see that Empty has been - for the most part - on the same page as me politically. Where he and I differ is that he thinks Bush engineered 9/11, while I do not.



So if you'd like to continue this discussion, that'd be fine. Let's just have it here on your page, or on mine, if you like. I really think both Apparition and you are great guys, and it bothers me that your behavior sometimes doesn't reflect that.

Hi Lentilla, I agree it's sensible to take this particular discussion off the 'Iraq' thread. Thank you for doing that. I also agree that it's really rather pointless to continue it. We're in danger of getting bogged down with irrlevant minutiae and not achieving anything. So let's just say that you're right and I apologise for any misunderstandings.

However, there are two minor points I'd like understood before this is laid to rest:

1] All that nonsense from Starbirth about the Special Olympics, the Master Race etc was an unnecessarily extreme reaction to (what I thought was) a reletively innocuous question from me. He did indeed take my one question to illogical conclusions and did indeed imply that my thinking was along the lines of the things he said. Perhaps I brought that on myself by phrasing the question rather carelessly, but still his reaction was ridiculously extreme and unwarranted. I resent any implication that I'm the only one at fault. I find any thinking along the lines of the suggestions that Starbirth made extremely objectionable, that kind of ideology is anathema to me and the very thought that I could subscribe to it is offensive. But I realise that we're both at fault and the whole thing is best forgotten.

2] You still have the impression that I "think that Bush enginneered 9/11" (unless that's also part of your sense of humour). I do not firmly believe that Bush enginneered 9/11, just that it's a significant possibility worth considering.

And, yes, Appirition is from New Zealand.

Most of all, Lentilla, thank you for being sensible and keeping things polite.

1) I agree. Everything kinda snowballed from there. I apologize for coming down on you too hard! Your comment pushed my button. I probably should have kept my nose out of your business and let you two deal with it. Ah, well - live and learn.

2) No, I'm not being funny - I am exaggerating for effect, but I've noticed that you've commented on it several times. I don't think you believe that - but you do think it's a strong possibility. It's an interesting idea, but it's not one I subscribe to. If there was any chance that the Republicans would allow a Senate investigation of the events leading up to 9/11, the failure of intelligence in all the agencies, and the connections between Bush and the major corporations he's drawn his cabinet from... then we might see something interesting!

Thank you for replying! I'm relieved that we've got this worked out... and we can go back to arguing - er... I mean discussing world events!

Looking forward to seeing you around the site - Jen

Thanks Lentilla. BTW, what's the title all about? Who's Kenneth?

Oh... I thought you might recognize the reference!

Some years back, Dan Rather was assaulted by a man in a trenchcoat in Manhattan. The assailant kept asking 'What's the frequency, Kenneth?' REM wrote a song about it (of the same name.)

Here's a website with the story: http://ask.yahoo.com/ask/20010619.html

Pretty weird, huh?