On Tue, 31 Oct 2000, John D. Giorgis wrote:
> Andrea wrote:
> >I wish you would use a bit more selection in your choices of what
> >"interesting" things you pass along. I don't think this is an
> >appropriate forum for general purpose political discussion,
>
> Well, Dr. Brin obviously disagrees with you, since more of his posts have
> been about general purpose politics than science fiction as of late.
> Take that for what its worth.
Dr. Brin no longer participates here. I am thus not interested in what
he considers topics for discussion here; the posting of a pre-written
essay, without sticking around for comments, doesn't count as
participation in a meaningful way as far as I'm concerned.
But go on and have all the abortion arguments you want; just keep them
marked so I can avoid them easily.
> Of course, its ironic that the last person to make a passing reference to
> abortion on this list was you, Andrea.
I think you're being willfully obtuse here. There's a great world of
difference between a passing reference and jumping up and down trying
desparately to fan flames.
> In fact, you were mildly involved in that Supreme Court thread. In
> fairness, you tried hard to avoid mentioning the topic by name, but
> nonetheless we all knew what you were referring to. After all, this
> debate is a fact of life in our country, and it is irrational to
> believe that the word "abortion" shall never be spoken on this list
> again.
Sure. There's a difference in my mind between saying "Because this
issue is important to me, I will vote in this way" and "You should all
change your minds to my way of thinking on this issue because of <blah>".
> >Nobody has *ever* changed anyone elses' mind on abortion with a
> >debate on Usenet or mailing lists.
>
> I think that you just don't try hard enough.
You're right, because I *don't* try. It's not an issue that's worth
the emotional investment for me to try and change someone's mind.
(Part of this is because I'm currently content with the status quo.)
I doubt anyone's ever changed anyone's mind on gay rights with a
debate on a mailing list or Usenet either, but I'll still tilt at
that windmill, *both* because it's an issue of much greater personal
importance to me *and* because I am unhappy with the status quo.
--
Andrea Leistra [EMAIL PROTECTED]
If we could put a man on the moon, why can't we do it again?
