On (01 Apr 98) Frank Masingill wrote to Karl Schneider...
 FR> I would be interested in learning if there are other gods and goddesses
 FR> which were also responsible for the multitude of languages.
 KS> I think Fred was deferring to whatever 'superior wisdom' might be
 KS> lurking in this forum;  do you perchance have some?
 FM>    I have been "put down" and insulted by Frederic Rice so often that
 FM> I would almost think you have to be kidding but more likely you're an
 FM> ally who has decided not to allow him to support himself but to fly to
 FM> his aid.
 Not at all, Frank.  To the extent I agree with Fred, I might well
 be considered an 'ally', but my question was an honest one.  I tried
 to pare down the voluminous quotes whilst attempting to preserve
 their gist...
 FM>    In answer to your question, since you writing on the PHIL echo,
 FM> philosophy is NOT the possession of wisdom but the LOVE of wisdom. 
 I certainly agree...however I find it difficult to conceive how one
 can 'love' that which one does not either (for some reason, I think
 'either', in this case, ought be pronounced "eye-ther") possess or
 comprehend.  But, be that as it may, there are limits to what you
 say immediately following:
 FM> True philosophers DO have respect for the opinions of others even when
 FM> they disagree.  You will note in other posts here and in the past when
 It seems to me that 'true philosophers' are pretty much egocentric
 when it comes to what is perceived as 'knowledge'...Plato comes to
 mind here...
 FM> I mistakenly linked to the SKEPTIC echo that Mr Rice has absolutely NO
 FM> regard for ANYTHING I might have to say and and along with one of his
 FM> other friends writes gratuitously to me with ridicule when I have not
 FM> addressed him in the first place.
 Ah.  Well, I can explain that:  This is an 'ECHO'.  It is open to the
 'public', as it were.  Anyone is free (and encouraged, without which
 nonrestraints, it would have to be called something else, n'est ce
 pas?) to comment on anything which is posted herein.
 FM>    It is true that I have decided not to allow this to go
 FM> unchallenged.  Make of it what you will.  He treats anybody who
 FM> doesn't agree with him as a rank fundamentalist or some other category
 FM> and LOVES the boring old "evolution vs. creationism" arguments which
 Well, there are 'rank' fundamentalists, and there are...uh...well, I
 can't think of another type at the moment;  let me think about that
 for a moment...meanwhile:
 FM> have raged on Fidonet for ages with nothing new being said on either
 FM> side.  I'm not an "ism" kind of person, nor do I claim to be
 FM> "Christian" and this annoys Mr. Rice immensely.  He NEEDS enemies.  I
 Haha.  Well, possibly.  I think 'everyone' *needs* enemies, and that
 pontification most assuredly applies to what Fred (and I) would refer
 to as 'fundies'.  "Enemies" are the very essence of fundamentalism.
 (As a significant adjunct to their preoccupation with death).
 Look:  I don't know Fred personally...as I don't know anyone *else*
 on FIDO echoes (except for one person who is local to me), and your
 perception that I am somehow 'defending' his position is probably
 reasonably accurate, except you seem to perceive some sort of
 collusion or conspiracy, which is simply an overestimation of the
 happenstance of coincidental agreement on various subjects.
 FM> say this from long experience.  I would treat him with great respect -
 FM> all he has to do is acknowledge that I'm human.
 I shall forthwith challenge Fred to make such acknowledgement.  I
 promise.  For what it's worth, I am quite certain you're human. :)
 If not, someone has written a hell of a great AI Program!
 KS> Good grief...he asks a question, and you're all in a dither, demanding
 KS> he answer it HIMSELF.  Are you on some medication?
 FM>    That last sentence-question is a recognized mantra.  Yes, I'm on
 FM> heavy medication just as many 77-year-olds are but I deny your
 FM> implication that I'm mentally ill but what if I were.  Do you also put
 FM> down the mentally ill?
 Ha!  Good one, Frank!  No, I don't think you're mentally ill, nor would
 I put you (or anyone else) 'down' if I thought you were.  But I believe
 my question was a legitimate one.
 FM>    I also am NOT in a dither.  My life is rather calm and you, despite
 FM> your assumptions and insinuations know NOTHING about it.  I'm hesitant
 FM> to pronounce on anybody's motives until I have received constant,
 FM> sustained attacks.
 Noted.  Understood.
 FM>    I wonder why it is so difficult for some people to deal with issues
 FM> and ideas instead of attacks on persons.  I guess there is no good
 FM> answer for that.
 In some cases, Frank, there are answers.  I'm not as old as you, but
 not that far behind - 20 years, but based on *my* experience, my
 response to what I see promulgated as the CURRENT (*emphasis explained
 below) 'Christian' agenda leads me to suspect not only the motive,
 but the truth as well.
 * I deprecate what I like to call 'fundies'.  These are exemplified
 by, but not limited to, those who make a big production of being
 "Christians" in present society (in the USA - the same phenomenon
 can be seen in other religions in other parts of the world) but whose
 actions belie the tenets of the icons of their faith.  One of the
 names of this behavior is hypocrisy.
 Karl
... I love contradictions.  I hate contradictions.
--- PPoint 2.05
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