> I hate to say this, but the role of docent may not be for you if that's
> what you want to do.  Unless the other docents share your views, in which
> case, it's not for me.

> I see OlyBlog as a place where we get to confront other viewpoints through
> reason.  I welcome TFI's opinion, and I'd welcome JPO's and even Tschida's
> if they could just be nice about it and have reasoned discussion as opposed
> to arguments.  I'm here to learn about my world and I don't think that
> happens by closing doors.

> I don't think you are wrong for feeling the way you do.  In fact our views
> are pretty well aligned politically and socially.  Except, I guess, when it
> comes to Olyblog.  We should keep this dialog going, it's very
> constructive.  I'd also love to hear from others on this.

> RR

> On Tue, Apr 22, 2008 at 1:58 PM, Robert Whitlock <
> robwhitlock1...@yahoo.com> wrote:

> > Hey Rob,

> > Perhaps I wasn't clear.

> > What I meant to say is that I want OlyBlog to be an alternative to the
> > views that are all too often espoused and supported in the mainstream media
> > environments, views that substantiate the notion that the President is
> > protecting the American people from harm. When in reality, the President is
> > actually enabling and creating an environment where people all around the
> > world want to do harm to the "America" that we all love (albeit to varying
> > degrees and in varying ways.)

> > President Bush is doing harm to America.

> > I don't like to see the hateful, racist rhetoric of "global police agent
> > 'America'" espoused on OlyBlog. It is all too present in other places.

> > That's all I am saying. I don't want to offer that view point any
> > further degree of legitimacy.

> > Further, I have concerns about Jeff Brigham that I am purposefully
> > choosing not to discuss on this list - and that I would prefer to raise at
> > an in person meeting.

> > Obviously my dealings with Jeff come with a certain amount of bias. It
> > is my belief that his activities are antithetical to the purposes of
> > understanding and community. Jeff's apparent belief that "might makes right"
> > runs counter to the vision of an intentional and inclusive community, and
> > his participation is divisive and harmful to the purposes of constructive
> > dialogue.

> > Personally, I think these concerns are adequate to launch an
> > investigation into banning in re: the OlyBlog user account of Jeff Brigham.

> > Sincerely,
> > Bert

> > ----- Original Message ----
> > From: Rob Richards <tornd...@gmail.com>
> > To: olyblogdocents@googlegroups.com
> > Sent: Tuesday, April 22, 2008 12:50:16 PM
> > Subject: Re: commentary, criticism, banning, etc.

> > I will never support taking action against a blogger because of who they
> > quote or where on the spectrum their opinions lie.  I want to make that very
> > clear.  I mean it when I say I'm not biased.  I mean it and I live it.
> > Disagreement is not a violation of the social contract no matter how fierce
> > it is.  Abuse of others is.  JustPlnOnry is an example of someone who is
> > abusive to others without contributing anything to the blog.  The Fire
> > Inside is an example of someone who contributes a lot to the blog, and has
> > different values than I do.  Jeff Brigham is kind of towing the line, he has
> > definitely been inappropriate, but so have I, and so have you.  He also
> > contributes content to the blog more than other users do.  We've always been
> > forgiving of slip ups if the person is generally not abusive and contributes
> > more than just comments, that's how I would describe Jeff.

> > I feel that to carry the title of docent, you MUST put your personal
> > beliefs aside and look only at behavior.  Perhaps what you wrote here was
> > out frustration, but I feel you're, in a way, at risk of becoming what
> > you're railing against.  At least that's what I'm getting out of it, I'd
> > love to hear some clarification of things I may not be reading correctly.

> > RR

> > On Tue, Apr 22, 2008 at 12:36 PM, Robert Whitlock <
> > robwhitlock1...@yahoo.com> wrote:

> > > not it - but I am in full support.

> > > I am opposed to Jeff's obfuscation and abusive rhetoric and advocacy
> > > of violence and militarism as a means to resolve differences.

> > > For example, his signature line is a quote from President Bush. This
> > > is not something that I am interested in having representation for on
> > > OlyBlog. I want OlyBlog to be an alternative to the media status quo - I
> > > don't want OlyBlog to be a place that facilitates acrimonious and
> > > divisive/derisive debate.

> > > Dialogue is good. Fierce and unreasonable disagreement is not.

> > > Jeff's advocacy of the rhetoric of a war against terrorism is not
> > > constructive to a dialogue that seeks understanding and nonviolent
> > > solutions. The rhetoric of a war against terrorism is essentially racist and
> > > classist, seeking to pit the global haves against the global have-nots.

> > > We live in an age of globalism. Let's (as a nation) start acting like
> > > global citizens, not global bullies!!!

> > > Bert!

> > > ----- Original Message ----
> > > From: Rob Richards <tornd...@gmail.com>
> > > To: olyblogdocents@googlegroups.com
> > > Sent: Tuesday, April 22, 2008 12:27:36 PM
> > > Subject: Re: commentary, criticism, banning, etc.

> > > OBTW,

> > > Did anyone change Jeff Brigham's status so that his comments have to
> > > be moderated?  He's asking me about it and I don't anything about it.

> > > RR

> > > On Tue, Apr 22, 2008 at 12:15 PM, Rick McKinnon <
> > > mckinnon.r...@comcast.net> wrote:

> > > > Agree on all points.  That time and place works for me.

> > > > Cheers,

> > > > Rick!

> > > > Robert Whitlock wrote:

> > > > > Dear Docents,

> > > > > I just want to add my 2¢ that I don't think it's constructive to
> > > > > participate in debate over the decision to ban members based on
> > > > their
> > > > > demonstration of repeated abusive, disruptive, dishonest (etc.)
> > > > behavior.

> > > > > Also, I think it's okay to mark objectionable content as spam and
> > > > > delete. For example:
> > > > http://olyblog.net/so-long-chris#comment-58324

> > > > > Thirdly, are we going to re-schedule a meeting for this (next)
> > > > > weekend? I propose Sunday, April 27th: 10AM at B&B (Capitol Way
> > > > location).

> > > > > Bert!

> > > > --
> > > > Rick McKinnon, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
> > > > Learning Specialist and Educational Liaison
> > > > phone: (360) 359-2208
> > > > web: rickmckinnon.com
> > > > book: www.talkingwithtoddlers.org
> > > > email: mckinnon.r...@comcast.net