Date: Fri, 29 Oct 2004 16:25:05 -0400
To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at WSFA.org>
From: Elspeth Kovar <ekovar at worldnet.att.net>
Subject: [WSFA] Re: Warnings... from Boys Crying Wolf
Cc: "Strong, Lee" <strongl at sddc.army.mil>
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at WSFA.org>

Mr. Strong,

I make it a policy to rarely if ever discuss politics on listserves or in
newsgroups and to avoid places where people do so.  The one exception is
the alumni list of St. John's College, where discussion is -- usually --
civil, open, and informed.  I believe that the recent postings to this list
provide ample evidence as to why.

As I hope you know, I am deeply fond of you, care about you a great deal,
and have been honored that you consider me a friend.  I can not, however,
condone your behaviour.  While I no longer have copies of your earlier
statements as I deleted them once that incident seemed to be over, you have
said and/or implied that anyone who does not agree with your views
is  stupid, uninformed, does not care about the defense of our country, and
is un-American.  You make political statements but, rather than defending
or discussing them, appear to believe that anyone who explores alternate
views is not only attacking yours but is a fool.  You have now compared
someone on this list elaborating on his posting a link to someone who, in
your opinion, was defending a lie.

Two blocks away there is a convention attended by a number of friends I
rarely see, some people who are friends in the making, readings by beloved
authors I've never had a chance to meet, and work to be done.  Outside the
open door of my balcony the sun is shining, college students are bicycling
to classes, and there's a town that looks to be wonderful to explore by
foot.  I'm neither place.  Instead I've spent the morning on the computer,
my absentee ballot beside me, doing the last of my research before making a
difficult choice.

I am not stupid.
I am not uninformed.
I care about the defense of our country and believe in strong national defense.
I believe that one has an obligation to learn all one can before taking on
such a serious task as helping choose our elected officials, which includes
seeking facts and exploring views.
I am not a fool.
I am patriotic.  I am an American.

And I don't agree with your views.

At the moment I am sufficiently angry, and sorrowful that someone I
consider a friend could have so little respect for the ideas of others or
for this community, that I would prefer to end communication until such
time as you have had a chance to reconsider not your views of this
political race but your interactions with people.

Sincerely,

Elisabeth A. Kovar