John Berry
wrote:
Ouch! How do you like me
now!?
Well, I guess I like you as much as I ever did, but your message and
general list behavior are less likeable. So, off-line, let me remind you
of the basic rules of the PWA list:
1. It's a list for discussing
the craft of writing. We try to keep that loose enough to allow
wide-ranging discussions about almost anything.
2. It's
(temporarily) a channel for administrative information about PWA activities,
until the PWA website is up and running.
Given those two very broad
criteria, it's hard to be off topic. You have repeatedly managed to do so,
mainly by using the list as a sort of personal chat-and-chatter forum, with
occasional forays into ad hominem comments that are frankly
offensive.
I earlier posted a general warning to the whole list about
keeping on topic and observing general standards of mail list courtesy.
This is your own personal and private caution.
I don't want to drop any
writer from the list, because there is value in sharing ideas and
experiences. But I will drop you and any other member who cannot operate
within the bounds that I've laid out.
Feel free to counter, rebut, or
lambaste all you want, but do so directly to me at this address.
Kent
Graham
PWA-L Discussion List Manager
Dear Kent,
First, when one adult addresses another through written words,
especially an elder or a better, it is good tact to begin with a
salutation, a "dear" or at least the addressees name. Please
note how I have opened this note to you versus your boorish reply to
me.
Second, as I recall, I was the only person that knew of young Mr.
Provine's accomplishment and acknowledged it by sending out a PWA-wide
message congratulating both him and the entire PW
department. How quickly my times of excellence are forgotten!
Therefore, because I can be both complimentary and humorous I believe I am
a wonderful addition to your rigid, controlled, dry and boring list-serve in
which, it appears, only the List Manager is empowered enough to both mock
published authors and web-sites, and also decide whom can state what and when
they can state it.
Next, when I send the old tried and true playful jab (I.a. the PW write
formulaic garbage-a statement I DO NOT believe), I expect someone over
there to toss back the 'ol jab about English Majors being elitist snobs that
believe they are all great literary writers. It's all good fun. Of course, if I
indeed offended anyone I honestly apologize.
Finally, subterfuge in these matters is a historically tried and true way
for those within power to keep their power. Not that I compare the powers
of the List Serve Manager with the Nazi SS or anything, but the goals of
censorship and subterfuge are the same.
Please do whatever you think is best concerning my continued existence in
your List-Serve.
Most sincerely,
John C. Berry
English Professor
(108 Gittinger Hall)
graduate student
unpublished author
all around swell guy