I agree here.  I would like to see both members remain.

I am removing myself from the list too, however.
I am not as active as many on the list and surely not as responsive,
insightful, and, yes, provocative at Mr. Fears.  That is why he was such
a credit to have on the list.
It seems that a certain group was out to get him in some way, however--
almost in an academically thuggish manner.  A few folks seemed to
consistently reveal their intolerance to different ideas, their
insensitivity to another's viewpoint, and often with childish behavior
relied on name calling instead of understanding.
It may not be Mr. Fears membership on the Forum that is reducing its
number but those who refuse to let others speak unless they speak they
consider acceptable.
As I said I am not as active as I could be on the list, partly because I
have been scolded by some of the same people who now attack Mr. Fears
and am do not have the courage that he had to challenge the governing
few on the list.  Perhaps others have been run off by this atmosphere of
intolerance.

	Anyway, Kevin, please remove me from the list.  Or is there some
operation I need to do to officially remove myself from the list?


			---Jason Horn


 
-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Twain Forum [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Laidlaw,
Arianne
Sent: Thursday, March 20, 2008 8:45 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Mr. Fears' Resignation

I hope that access to this forum remains open to David Fears who has
contributed a great deal in the time I'e
been reading here.  I'm startled by the over reaction of so many to so
little on his part.  I"m reminded of
bullies in a schoolyard, emboldened by a misguided leader.

I've admired his courage refusing to be cowed.
I hope you don't exercise any power you might have if he chooses to
rejoin us, which I hope he will.

I also hope Jocelyn will reonsider choosing to no longer read here.  It
is painful to think anyone who
might have something to contribute would  leave us.

The reactions to Fears and how they are expressed have been more
disturbing than
anything he has said, as far as I'm concerned.

Arianne Laidlaw

________________________________________
From: Mark Twain Forum [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Kevin J.
Bochynski [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, March 20, 2008 2:48 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Mr. Fears' Resignation

In a message dated 3/20/07 David Fears writes:

<< 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!"

Dear Mr. Fears:

Thank you for your resignation which has been accepted and is in force
immediately. Thank you for your past contributions to the list.

Best regards,

Kevin Bochynski
List Administrator
Mark Twain Forum