David--

To be accurate, I said that you have some fence-mending to do if you want to
be viewed by members like me as a good citizen of the forum.  I mentioned
action by the list administrator only if you choose not to do that
fence-mending.  

You've stated your belief that you have nothing to apologize for. QED!
That's clear enough. But I'm not clear on your quotation from Groucho
Marx--"You can't fire me, I quit"--which you mention rather callously in
response to Jocelyn's decision to leave the forum.  Given your
recalcitrance, however, I'm hoping that you're applying those words to
yourself.  

--LH
   

-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Twain Forum [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of David H Fears
Sent: Thursday, March 20, 2008 3:17 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Mark Twain quote?

 
In a message dated 3/20/2008 12:54:36 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,  
[log in to unmask] writes:

If Mr.  Fears attempt at wit had substituted "1,000 unloved, underpaid,
Engl=
ish  graduate students" all might have enjoyed his attempt at hyperbole.
Ye=
t given a choice to craft a response to what might best be  characterized
as=
academic audience--he chose once again not to.  =20
=20
Gordon Snedecor
Portland, Oregon=


It seems my choice of words is an exciting topic for many bored souls here.

Phooey! I've known plenty of underpaid graduate students who might identify 
with  the overworked manual laborers that the historical term "coolies"
refers 
to. 
 
Many terms are hijacked over time. That doesn't prevent their use in the  
traditional sense, does it? Gay might even mean festive now and then. 
 
So someone has even tearfully quit the forum over its use? What rubbish! In

the immortal words of Groucho Marx, "You can't fire me, I quit!"
 
"Those who would celebrate diversity the loudest are the most intolerant of

those they disagree with."
 
Hail to you, Gordon, oh fellow Oregonian. Are you volunteering to revise my

wit? Some may not care for my remarks and engage in personal and public  
condemnation, but I have not attacked them personally, nor would I, even
when  
pointing out the hypocrisy of their comments. I've received emails with
gutter  
language and profanities...I've been called names here by so-called
"academics"  
who are supposed to be enlightened folks...One gentleman has just posted
that 
 the administrator should do something about my "adolescent" humor. Well, if

it's  recognized as humor (at least for that much intelligent perception)
then 
why the  flap? 
 
I've no reason to shake up or stir up this sleepy little forum. My interest

in Twain is at least as alive as others here. I try to offer substance, not 
just  flip remarks about the Boer war or trolls or the humor of others. I 
sometimes  offer opinion that may not fit in with lock-step, left-wing
dogma. I have 
 attacked no one. I have nothing to apologize for. 
 
David H Fears
 
 



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