I received several posts today complaining about the "domestical" debate --
about all the email it, and similar posts, generated.  I've also received
several requests privately asking me to consider stopping the debate.  It's
time to call an end to it, I agree, but some of the letters/posts I received
were a wee bit disturbing.
 
While I'm impressed at the maturity level of the requests (none were plain
vicious flames and I felt honored to receive your opinions -- thank you!),
many people seemed to feel a certain poster should no longer be allowed to
participate in the FML.  That's the part that worries me, at least a bit.
 
We all learn from each other here, and even unpopular opinions are often
legitimate "food for thought".  I'm pleased to be able to present a forum
where opinions ARE this varied.  (What a boring place this would be if we
all thought the same way!)
 
Now, granted, the privilege of posting can certainly be abused and none of
us want the opinions of others to be delivered attached to a brick.  And
when a debate degenerates into a rehashing of old arguments ad infinitum,
similarly, it's time to call a halt to it.  But I'd like to leave you with
two thoughts.  Firstly, realize that some people like to argue... Well...
let's be charitable and say some people like to debate.  Often this begins
as an effort to try to educate, but after a while, although we had formed
our own opinions long ago, the recreational debaters go on and on.  While
that's my cue to step in, a gentler way to handle the situation is to state
YOUR opinions, pro or con, factually and politely, and then, having stated
your case, step aside.  After all it takes at least two to debate an issue.
 
But more importantly I ask: Please, let's try to base the value of an
opinion not on WHO stated the opinion but rather on WHAT the opinion says.
 
Thanks,
Bill
 
P.S. As an interesting experiment, have someone delete all the email names
and addresses from a digest.  That done, read what's left.  Some people are
amazed to discover how preconceived notions about a poster color the
messages of posts.
 
P.P.S. Yes, today's FML is *very* large, and there are a few posts already
waiting for the next issue.  And in view of this, and for the sake of
ending the issue, I'm asking the posters of the complaints if it's ok that
I not include the complaints in the FML.
[Posted in FML issue 2577]