Re: walexander@leisurepublishing.com

["Dan Dresner" <yodrez@xxxxxxxxx>]

When I was still teaching, another teacher at my school was an avid fisher
and, apparently, quite knowledgeable. I say "apparently", because every time
he began to pontificate on his subject he would lean back on his heels,
literally look down his nose at you, and begin to run his mouth. No
contribution you could make to the "conversation" was ever met with anything
but condescending disbelief. As a consequence, my face generally froze into
what I hoped was a polite "Will Return In 5 Minutes" sign as I mentally
reviewed my shopping list.

Most of the students and teachers had long ago learned to avoid asking the
questions that set him off, and when my attempts to be friendly repeatedly
led to demonstrations of his superiority I, too, had to avoid him. Too bad,
because he was clearly knowledgeable, apparently a decent person, and
certainly interesting. I just couldn't take the strutting....

In our little e-barnyard, we seem to have some testosterone-soaked peacocks
who, like that teacher, lack the modesty and self-discipline to reign in
their baser tendencies. At this point, I'm betting that all but a hardy few
list members give a damn what the issues are, who is right, and who has the
biggest pecker.

To my direct knowledge, two of the offenders had this exact same problem on
other lists and *still* haven't realized that they have a problem far beyond
any facts of the arguments in which they become embroiled.

Without question, you men are impressing everyone on the list with your
erudition and with knowledge of your subjects. But when all the blathering
is done, gentlemen, while one of you may have delivered the ultimate
argument, not one of you will have convinced anyone else on this list of
your sense of community, your manners, your consideration of others, your
forbearance, your communication skills, your kindness, or your maturity.

For God's sake, STOP IT!

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