jeffbuck@swcp.com
Date: 02/13/03-12:43:43 PM Z
This recent attack on Richard is indeed rubbish. For pretty much the reasons
Richard states. When will the personal attacks stop on this list? I've been
within a keystroke or two of signing off lately because it's just so
depressing. -JB
Richard Sullivan <richsul@earthlink.net> said:
> We now are seeing a messages directed at me with content like this:
>
> >Why then didn't you spring to the ramparts when for the umpty-ninth time
> >Sullivan came tearing back onto this list (after long silence) solely for
> >the purpose of launching an attack on me?
>
> >Possiblities:
> >A. attacks on women don't count
>
> I am perfectly happy for anyone to challenge my authority on this topic and
> would be happy to indulge in a debate. I did not wish to start a flame war
> and purposely declined further comment until the character assassination
> began and now feel compelled to defend myself.
>
> My statement was in keeping with the rules and ethics of the list as I
> understand them. All I did was to correct Liam Lawless's post that said
> that a tightly capped bottle of aqua regia was safe and to infer that the
> tone of PF No 3 was in error. Though that post was 3 years old, it is still
> in the archives and in people's minds. Had it been an issue other than
> safety it should have perhaps properly lied buried.
>
> According to the Industrial Hygene Association, Liam's statement does seem
> to be in error. I happened to be on the site I referenced and saw the
> warnings about two very serious explosions that could have been life
> threatening. I am always researching safety issues relating to alt
> photography and feel an obligation to pass them along if I feel they are
> pertinent. I even have a papers called "gum green" and "platinum green" on
> my web site. Safety and environmental concerns are not a passing fancy with
me.
>
> If in fact I scare someone from working with aqua regia at home, then I
> have done a service. Those with the skill, talent, knowledge, and
> facilities, like Bob Schramm, will not be deterred by my warnings if they
> wish to pursue it.
>
> I have not called anyone "grudging" or anything words remotely attacking a
> person's motives or ethics. If in fact the Industrial Hygene Association is
> wrong about the safety of aqua regia then that should be the topic of
> conversation. One should not post a list of character assassinating
> "possibilities" to challenge my motive. Unless one has a special seat
> inside my mind, this is totally inappropriate.
>
> I believe I can say without reservation that over the last 25 years I have
> had more experience working with aqua regia than anyone else on this list.
> I can also assure you that in even small quantities of it are unstable and
> can act in unpredictable ways. Because one has worked with it safely a few
> times does not mean it is safe. I have seen it violently erupt in a beaker
> in both small 50 ml, and larger quantities, spraying hot aqua regia and
> voluminous fumes of which nitric oxides (not nitrous!) are a large
> component. I have seen it explode in containers (storing in containers has
> not been done for over 20 years) with devastating results. I suspect it is
> set off by small amounts of contamination, something likely in a home brew
> environment. Nitric oxide gas is more poisonous than the cyanide gas used
> in a gas chamber! Even small quantities can scar the lungs and might lead
> to emphysema.
>
> As many here can attest to I have been a champion of home brew photography
> for better than 25 years. I am not chemophobic as proposed, nor do I pander
> to such notions and have helped countless people make various chemicals
> needed in alt photo processes. I bemoan the fact that ordinary people
> cannot get mercuric chloride, cyanide, or chlorates anymore.
>
> I have kept a low profile on the list because a certain person, if
> challenged on their ideas and statements, like to attack me personally or
> question my motives, or even bring up some weird ideas that what I have
> said has something to do with attacking women! To me this is particularly
> odious!
>
> Hiding behind the word "possibility." Just possible, just possible! is the
> inference.
>
> I ask, who is attacking whom?
>
> It seems on close reading that in no way did I attack any person in the
> message in question. If in fact challenging ones statements as being
> incorrect are personal attacks then I have landed on the wrong planet. I
> thought that was the purpose of the list to have a spirited discussion on
> topic related to alt-photo.
>
> As far as I know, Liam and I are still on good terms, as I still believe he
> does not feel that a disagreement over this issue is a personal "attack"
> nor do I believe any part of his character is diminished by it. Sheese! If
> everyone if the field of science took it personally when their statements
> were disagreed with we'd have a real problem.
>
> And yes I do run a profit making business, Bostick & Sullivan, with no
> apologies.
>
> If one was to go to the discussion group I run at:
>
> http://sirius.secureforum.com:8080/%7Ebostick/login
>
> you will find no advertising there, no banner ads, no B+S promotion other
> than an occasional reference that I might make in a message in regards to a
> topic where the reference is pertinent. Many who participate there are not
> even aware of the host organization. It does have the email addresses of
> participants and as many here can attest to, it has not sold, or used to
> promote any thing other than APIS events and PhotoArts Santa Fe which is a
> non-for-profit community effort of which Melody and I founded and of which
> Melody is the unpaid Director and I sit on the board, put in countless
> hours helping organize, and of which we receive no compensation for.
>
> If one looks at:
>
> http://www.bostick-sullivan.com
>
> One will find a wealth of alt-photo information, very little of which is
> promotional in nature. Yes you can order products on-line but that seems to
> be appropriate for a commercial firm.
>
> I thought it was acceptable to promote what is actually the world's largest
> gathering of alt photo workers -- the 5th internnational APIS. Anyone who
> has run conferences can attest to the fact that running a professional
> seminar series for 3 days, including a catered reception at $66.00 per day
> per person is not making one rich, quite the contrary! It is always a
> sellout and we could in fact charge double or triple the fee.
>
> I am currently hard at work developing some new (old actually!) alt photo
> products to re-introduce to the market in the near future.
>
> If, in fact, the list managers here feel that APIS announcements and new
> product announcements are inappropriate then please say so and I will not
> post such information.
>
> If, also in fact, critical issues of safety on processes discussed here are
> not appropriate, then please also inform.
>
> If, in fact, it is inappropriate to disagree with someone's previous
> statement, please inform of that also.
>
> If I have inadvertently made any attacks on anyone's character, please note
> it and I will publicly apologize.
>
> -- Richard S. Sullivan HonFRPS
>
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