Date: Tue, 19 Oct 2004 22:27:43 -0400
To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at WSFA.org>
From: "Barry L. Newton" <bnewton at ashcomp.com>
Subject: [WSFA] Re: FW: Lee Strong
Cc: StrongL at sddc.army.mil
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at WSFA.org>

Interestingly, Strong, Lee said:
<snip>
> >       The bottom line is that I no longer feel welcome in WSFA.

That's a shame.  Your political views and attitudes, while sadly mistaken
and misguided from my perspective, are shared by at least half the
country.  I can't resent or dislike you for this.

<snip>

> >       First, I am not a fan.

Yes, you are.

>   I come to a **science fiction association**
> > for the purpose of enjoying **science fiction**.  As a practical matter,
> > fandom's chief activities are gossiping about oneself and other fans,
> > drinking beer, and engaging in cheap sex.

The Washington Science Fiction Association has never pretended to be a
serious literary organization.  There are groups in the area who do that
much better than we do.  There are still a few fans who drink beer, though
the number is declining as we age.  My own limit is two, for what that's
worth.  No one at WSFA has ever offered me sex, cheap or
otherwise.  Obviously, this is a non-issue.  And, by the way, a cheap shot.

Gossip, well, yes, that happens.  But the chief occupation of fandom is
fellowship.  Your definition is significantly distorted.

> > Second, and more importantly, WSFA is a very hostile environment for
> > a Republican.  On 16 April 2004, the club applauded Madeleine Yeh's
> > symbolic decapitation of Attorney General John Ashcroft specifically and
> > Republicans generally.  Subsequently, Madeleine offered a symbolic
> > decapitation of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfield and invoked
> > malevolent occult forces against George W. Bush.  Eric Jablow was the only
> > person who objected.  Subsequently, Barry Newton offered for sale bumper
> > stickers repeating the myth that George Bush lost the 2000 Presidential
> > Election and Steve Smith repeated the myth that George Bush is mentally
> > ill.  These things are in the official club records.

Guilty as charged.  I for one, have come to realize that these activities
are inappropriate in a social organization.

> > These statements and
> > actions, together with many similar statements and actions sustained by
> > WSFAns and other members of the fannish community over many years, create
> > an obviously hostile environment for people who vote Republican

Again, guilty.  I apologize.

>  or who
> > favor effective and constitutional legal and military action against
> > terrorists.

This, on the other hand, is irrelevant Republican cant.  I have no qualms
about killing people who attack Americans, and neither does my chosen
presidential candidate.

The next WSFA meeting will take place after the election.  Hope you'll be
there.

Barry