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>From: "Rick Adams" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>To: "John Serafin" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>Subject: RE: TIPS Awards
>Date: Mon, Oct 18, 1999, 7:59 PM
>
(snip)
>> Am I missing something here? Why is it that only some members
>> of the list need to be concerned about being sensitive?
>
> You must be missing something.
>
> Since I have defended his right to free speech every time it has been
> raised (barring none), there is certainly no reason why I should not be
> able to exercise the same right in dealing _with_ him--particularly in the
> spirit of humor as this posting obviously was intended.
Let me try to clarify a couple of points, because you are correct--I am
missing something.
Although I haven't seen them posted recently, I thought that the TIPS
guidelines indicated that we're supposed to "attack issues, not people" (I
don't have a copy of those guidelines here at home, but I think that's a
fairly accurate paraphrase). If I'm correct on that, then anyone who makes
personal attacks against another poster has violated the guidelines. So free
speech is not unlimited on TIPS. (We may disagree on that, but that's my
position.)
In my opinion, the examples that I cited--questioning whether another member
of the list is really a psychology teacher (and I realize that wasn't you,
Rick; apologies if my previous post implied that); comparing someone's posts
to those of a bored undergraduate; etc.--represent personal attacks, not
attacks on the issues. And yes, even your suggestion that you'd like to
spank another poster, even though it was meant as a joke (I think we need to
consider that in the context of recent events on the list).
So my basic question still stands. Why is it OK for others to make personal
attacks on another poster? Understand that, although I responded to your
post, my question isn't directed solely at you. I would very much like to
hear from others at whom my criticism is directed.
John
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John Serafin
Professor of Psychology
Saint Vincent College
300 Fraser Purchase Rd.
Latrobe, PA 15650
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
