Well said (as usual, Paul). Let's make this the guiding statement of the mission of this list. Lynda ----- Original Message ----- From: "Paul Drake" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Tuesday, April 04, 2006 9:32 PM Subject: innuendo and argument. > > C'mon EVERYBODY. Genealogy is not about public debate; it about civility, > being helpful and having honest on-topic exchanges of ideas . > > Far, far beyond Jefferson and whether or not his dalliances resulted in > kids, and even further over and above the "Trail of Tears" and whether or > not that was reprehensible, I can think of dozens of subjects that would > raise the ire of someone on this and on every other list. There is no > end > to matters that are open to honest debate and yet can never, never be > resolved. It is those that we must keep for our brandy-laced chats with > friends at the fireside or across a cup of tea. > > When there are such strong differences, we must ALL bite our tongues and > realize that in most of these goofy differences the truth is somewhere, > not > on either side, but rather, somewhere in the center. Would we all ever > agree about Lincoln's place in history? What disagreement would there be > about the right of the old South to secede? Was Sherman's March something > he needed to do? Should we blame our ancestors for slavery? On and on > and > on and on!!!!!!. Such extended discussions, interesting as those are, do > not belong on this or any other genealogy discussion site. > > What's more, there are VERY few people who are true "experts" on anything > (I > do not know ANY) !! And that is true no matter the titles, positions, > degrees, books written or letters that appear after signatures. Oh > indeed, > many of us have long considered and firmly held views, yet we need but > glance up and down the street and someone will appear who has a quite > contrary and often equally cherished view. At the ages we ALL are, we > should know by now that we have views that likely will not change in > anything short of decades. To suggest that others MUST change their views > or > should be persuaded otherwise simply because we think and say so, and have > put together some little bits of evidence for our side of the argument, > is - > or should be - beneath every one of us. > > So, from here on, if someone disagrees with something you have written, it > is fine for them to so suggest. Still, all of us must suggest differences > with the understanding that our debates should remain private. To the > extent that you do speak here, let the good manners of the Old South > dictate > your words, please, and spare all of us from sarcasm, acid tongue, blunt > contradiction, and innuendo. This is a most worthwhile list and a fine > group of people, many of whom have substantial knowledge to share. Still > though, no one of us - not ONE - has not in the past committed (and will > in > the future commit) errors of judgment or made mistakes in research. > Thus, > when anyone disagrees with something you have said, switch to private mail > and all will be benefited. > > Paul > > > > Genealogy without documentation is nothing. > Paul Drake JD > Genealogist & Author > <www.DrakesBooks.com> > > > > -- > ---------------------------------------- > I am using the free version of SPAMfighter for private users. > It has removed 1902 spam emails to date. > Paying users do not have this message in their emails. > Try www.SPAMfighter.com for free now! > > To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions > at > http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html