"Tim Downie" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
Wobbot, it was kind of you to attempt to slap Timothy on the head, but I see you've been your usual
ineffective self. I suppose that's what happens when you send a boy to do a man's job...
Timmy, in my time on Usenet I've spoken to many people. Most I like, a few I dislike, the odd one or
two I despise. Peter Ashby falls into the latter category, as do you. Why? Well, the *exact* reasons
are neither here nor there. Everything in life is subjective. I could write 1,500 words on you both
and it would still be a question of perspective, there is no 'right' or 'wrong' in the matter. All
we can do when formulating opinions is to be true to our instincts and hope that they guide us
appropriately.
Let's cut to the chase. Was it fair of me to report Peter's breach of contract - for that it what it
was - to his employers? Fair? Possibly not. The right thing to do? I believe so. It's hard for me to
judge - I loathe the man, therefore I'm biased. It's in my nature to confront 'wrong' (yup, by that
I refer to things I define as wrong) and to offer the offender an opportunity to mend their ways. If
they choose to continue to demonstrate unacceptable behaviour - as did Peter - they invite a stern
rebuke. No-one working at any level within the public sector should be permitted to abuse *any*
aspect of a publicly-funded organisation, whether it be by 'borrowing' photocopy paper or by
spending their working time and employers money on Usenet. It really is that simple, although I
can't say I'm surprised that you would seek to argue otherwise.
I think that a closer examination of any 'bullying' instances to which you refer would reveal a
similar consistency of thought. I find certain character traits hard to take. I tend to dump heavily
on individuals displaying those traits. Is this wrong? Well, I guess some would say that depends on
the strength and validity of your personal convictions, which bring us neatly back to perception
again. I think the key test is whether I would act in a similar manner in Real Life; in other words,
are the standards I espouse via my Usenet persona consistent with the way I would normally behave?
Well, I did offer to meet you for a drink. You've passed on an opportunity to make your own Real
Life assessment.
You accuse me of using my ability with words to dominate or exert undue influence. I really can't
accept that. I write stuff. People write back. Despite my moaning about grammar or syntax, what
matters in any exchange is the quality of the ideas contained therein. I could be the most
articulate writer in the world, but if what I'm saying sucks then that's clear for all to see. Good
grief, I've been hammered by some rec.runners who can barely type but who have instinctively
disassembled 'Rogers' opinions with a few well chosen words. And that's OK, 'cause if 'Rogers'
trolls were that easily shredded they were fully deserving of such treatment.
Do I need an audience to "satify (sic) his ego and his insecurities"? Hell, were I looking for an
audience I think I could find a more populated group than r.r or uk.r.r., don't you? I'd also
imagine that I have fewer insecurities than most - you don't hang out your thoughts for everyone to
take shots at if you're insecure - and I think my ego has been bruised more than massaged by the
rec.runners, no?
I'm here 'cause I enjoy running and I enjoy teasing the rec.runners. I find runners to be robust
souls capable of giving as good as they get. And occasionally, as a bonus, you get to stumble across
someone like Common, Lustig or McBrowse who have a unique and charming way of expressing their
thoughts. I believe I fit in quite well.
Timmy, I think your 'net-meister personality is beginning to cloud your judgement. Usenet is a
larger-than-life world containing the crazy, the devious and the completely normal. It's hardly
surprising that some find it a bumpy ride, but as for suggesting that cruelty lurks here I think
that's a bridge too far. You want to confront cruelty? Go wander through the streets in your town
centre at night and look around you. Talk to the kids. Talk to the elderly. All around you - if you
care to look - is evidence of real abuse, real suffering, real cruelty. And where do *you* choose to
see abuse in this world? You see it in me on Usenet. If that wasn't so sad it would be funny.
May I suggest a mantra for you? Get. Things. Into. Perspective.
And please, for all our sake's, do it soon.
Roger.