From: Walter Miles <walter at nova.org>
To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at WSFA.org>
Date: Wed, 20 Oct 2004 00:41:00 -0400
Subject: [WSFA] Re: Lee Strong
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at WSFA.org>

On 10/19/04, Strong, Lee wrote:

SL>>     First, I am not a fan.  I come to a **science fiction association**
SL>> for the purpose of enjoying **science fiction**.  As a practical matter,
SL>> fandom's chief activities are gossiping about oneself and other fans,
SL>> drinking beer, and engaging in cheap sex.

That bugs the living hell right outta me.  The chief activities of fans
and fandom are pretty much the same as those of the common run of
humanity (a bit light on athletics, and with more crowding at Chinese
restaurants).  Gossip, consumption of intoxicants and sex at various
levels of expense are included, but that so poorly characterizes fandom
as to be a completely worthless observation to anyone trying to
understand this social group or these people.

Fans are probably about as wise and foolish, kind and heartless, as
anybody else.  However, at times I have seen (and been the object of)
remarkable tolerance, in fandom, and within WSFA.  Some of these people
have been very kind to you too, and others very forbearing, I think.
Maybe you should consider that, when defining fandom.

Two things more:  I've had a lotta good conversations with WSFAns about
science fiction and fantasy.  And here's hoping you have a good time
dating your Amex card.

SL>>     Second, and more importantly, WSFA is a very hostile environment for
SL>> a Republican.

Yeah.  That might be.  Not as hostile as some conservatives are to
moderate Republicans, though.

There is much political ugliness in this country now, and it seems to
have been building for over a decade (personally, I think it's about
time that we split this country up, but NOBODY's gonna agree with me
there).  Maybe all that anger has crept into WSFA too.  When I think
of the wrongheaded, bigoted things I've listened to from some on the
right, including things YOU have written on this list, I am grateful
that Madeleine's statements, at least, are edible.

SL>> ...create
SL>> an obviously hostile environment for people who vote Republican or who
SL>> favor effective and constitutional legal and military action against
SL>> terrorists.

Here Lee slyly "repeats the myth" that Democratic leaders will not take
such action.  Ah, we can all play at this game!

-------------------------------------------
I had an inkling that you did not feel welcome any longer, and I may
well be one of those responsible.  I saw an expression on your face at
a WSFA meeting some time back, and thought to myself "I should say
something to Lee, try to be pleasant..."  I did not do so.  I don't
know what I should have done then, but I am sure that there is nothing
more cruel (or less liberal, if liberal is taken to mean generous)
that I could say to you now, than that.

===========================================================
Walter A. Miles, Jr.    walter at nova.org      (301) 891-2815
217 Spring Avenue, Takoma Park, MD  20912