Re: [Paddlewise] My last post

"William J. Oetjen" wrote:
<snip>

>
> > Doug Lloyd (who has nothing against gays)
>                 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>                    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>               >>  Somehow, Doug, I question the extent of your veracity on
>                 your last point.<<

Sorry Bill, I did post some silly stuff last night. Sometimes you just get in
the mood to be silly, and most folks on the list make allowances so as to
"humor" each other (suffer each other?) as long as the individual isn't too
silly, too much of the time :-)

As far as questioning my veracity, you have the right, given the scope of the
issue these days, and the intolerant people who abound. But rest assured, I
for one have nothing against any particular group. I treat people as people,
regardless of sexual orientation, race, religion, occupation, type of flimsy
sea kayak they paddle :-), or whatever. I work with gay friends all day,
paddle with them, and it's not even an issue anymore.  If you want to question
the "extent" of my veracity, then by all means: But sorry, I don't have an
"extent" to my feelings on the issue, because it isn't an issue with me - I
just don't think about it too much. If I do, it is usually trying to get my co
workers and fellow church goers to back of the anti-gay rhetoric that takes on
hateful proportions at time -- which is antithetical to a good work place
ethic and  true Christian love  --  and productive Paddlewise discussion. This
rejoiner _is_ relevant to PW too, as it is a good reminder toward being
tolerant where a particular belief or lifestyle has no real impact on one's
personal life.

>
>
> Why did you derogatorily refer to the woman (I assume she was at least 16
> years old) as a "gal"?   And why the bit about the "hobby horse?"

Funny, I picked that term precisely because I thought it was the least
derogatory (it is the opposite to "guy" in my vernacular - you know, "guys n'
gals"), which just goes to show you (as SpeedLump posted earlier) how easily
it is to get mistaken on this list. "Hobby horse?" Well, I'm afraid yes, the
female environmentalist lesbian did grandstand, _did_ abuse her "talk time"
significantly, but we all good naturally accepted it, and were simply laughing
with her, not at her, given the unintended pun.

>
>
> As someone who has been to meetings of minds from various perspectives,
> issues, and causes, I have observed that it is perfectly normal, even
> beneficial, to connect them.  Because so many social issues share a common
> source of oppression with environmental issues, it makes sense to try to
> touch and educate as many people as possible.  Not everyone is
> totally effective in all of these areas.

Absolutely. I was just as bad at the closing ceremonies, because I too used
the occasion to make a speech about the fact that I came from a religious
community where little tolerance is shown toward those in the faith who
prioritize environmental concerns, but that I would endeavor to see the
"greening" of people's faith, and that dialogue between the religious "right"
and humanist communities was so important if we are going to have a chance of
saving our planet from environmental degradation.

> You have proven that.
> Try to listen more carefully, demonstrate real respect for where people
> come from, and perhaps people will show the same for you.

No problem there! Again, I'm sorry I came across negatively. I figured most
people on the list would take it all in the context it was meant: a quick
story of a humorous pun that was not intended to be so by the speaker. Hey,
reminds me of a Paul Caffyn joke from his book "Dark Side of the Wave", where
he gives a tribute to his dead paddling partner, Max Reynolds:

"Where do punsters go when they die?"..."to a punitentiary!"

Anyway, let's end the thread right here, lest we all get unraveled again, and
rest assured the only intolerance I have is toward paddlers who think the
Caribou is a good sea kayak :-) Just kidding!!!!!!!!!

BC'in Ya
Doug Lloyd (who's well educated father said that a pun is the lowest form of
wit)

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