Posted by JohnV on February 22, 2003, at 7:26:33
In reply to THANK YOU for saying it and nicely too » ArthurGibson, posted by IsoM on February 21, 2003, at 14:43:12
> I feel so strongly about this. I’m glad Arthur spoke up. I get upset that any one who criticizes Bob's policies is viewed as subversive. We're too often thought of as trying to break up something that (in their opinion) is working perfectly fine. Any dissident voices are thought of as somehow wrong or evil - out to get the "nice Dr, Bob". We’re thought of as somehow “unsafe”,
>
> I wish others could see that those who disagree with Bob's policies aren’t a bunch of left-wing wackos. We're very normal, nice, loving, helpful people too. We WANT these boards to work to the benefit of all - not just those who don’t complain or speak up about what they perceive as injustices. We don’t all have to agree all the >time on issues to get along, do we? And those of >us who do speak up aren’t “out to get” the rest >of you. Because you don’t see a problem doesn’t >mean there is none.
Wow..I am really surprised and even a bit impressed at the responses in this thread, and even if I may not agree with all of you, it shows people care. I too feel quite strongly about this topic. I'd like to honestly ask Dr. Bob if there is this much concern, is it not time that we can rethink different methods around blocks and 'civility'??There are many excellent alternatives to dispute resolution, and I think with the size and needs of this board and it's members, we need to look at alternatives. I am not fond of the "2 strikes you are out for a week; 3 strikes it's doubled.." etc. That's a hardline conservative justice approach, and as jails have proven, punishment is "not" the answer. Sorry for making it political, but it is a political situation. There are some (likely many) of us on here who are broke, likely have little or no family or friends, and this is one fo the few places we can come for some respite and support. Poverty, despair, and mental illness often go hand-in-hand. I'd like to think Dr. Bob, as a provider of human care and services above all else, will consider the egalitarian and empathetic nature of giving people on the board as many options as possible before blocking them.
I don't see any reason why alternatives can't be made in place of blocks. Not everybody on here comes from a nice home where all is spoken politely, from a nice middle-upper class. Please, I beg you, take some time to really think about these considerations Dr. Bob. We are not making "demands", but asking for sincere consideration to possible alternatives. Dr. Bob, you use (part) of a Nietzsche quote on the main page...so you must also recognize the phrase "Human-all-too-Human".
Thanks.
JohnV.
poster:JohnV
thread:201785
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20030221/msgs/202738.html