RE: Off-Topic, New Orleans Images

PS. When I said "you" in the email below, I don't mean specifically you,
Tom. I meant generic you.

Dave

-----Original Message-----
From: Dave Soemarko [mailto:fotodave@dsoemarko.us]
Sent: Sunday, April 30, 2006 4:44 PM
To: alt-photo-process-l@usask.ca
Subject: RE: Off-Topic, New Orleans Images

Sigh. That's why I suggested that we no longer continue the thread, not even
giving last explanation. As you can see, not everybody agrees with the
listminder(s). Some still insist that there is connection and want to
continue....

The way I view it is, of course, everything can be connected in some way;
but if the connection is not direct and the discussion has offended people,
then we should stop. If this is a mailing list on political issues, but
somehow people get offended in some discussion, and if I suggest that we
stop the discussion because of the offensiveness, and some people insists
that we should continue, then that might be understandable or acceptable
because political issues is the main topic of such list.

But on the alt-photo board, I think we should stop. You can say that food is
very important and related to our life, our being, and our photography, or
maybe sex, or maybe the color of your bedroom wall. These can all be related
to photography, but how directly are those things related? So if we are
discussing Italian photography and somehow branch off to Italian food, and
people seem to be enjoying the discussion, then that is fine. But if
somebody (even a lurker) complains that s/he doesn't want to see the
discussion, let's stop then. Let's not take it as an offense. There is no
point in arguing to the person or saying that s/he is just a lurker so s/he
has no say, etc. etc. The fact is this is an alt-photo mailing list. Let us
remember that.

No one can really stop us, but ourselves must exercise some control. I find
that most people have agreed to stop the discussion though. There are just
very few who insist on talking.

So if we insist on BEING SILENT for a short while longer, I think the thread
will die out. Well, at least I hope so. Maybe it won't. May the next thread
will be a big arugment/slam against me. Who knows. But can we at least try?

Dave

-----Original Message-----
From: Tom Ferguson [mailto:tomf2468@pipeline.com]
Sent: Sunday, April 30, 2006 4:11 PM
To: alt-photo-process-l@usask.ca
Subject: Re: Off-Topic, New Orleans Images

Phillip, this is a very disturbing statement. I strongly object to being
called a Nazi (reich-wing supporters) by association! I believe you owe me
and this entire list an apology.

Think about, from a world perspective, how similar the two major USA parties
are. To insist that only your brand of politician is good and the rest of us
Nazis is far too bigoted and narrow minded to even make sense.

As hurt as I am having to read this insult on a photo board, I'm even more
saddened by the apparent lack of concern from the other board members and
minders. No-one here cares that Phillip just declared a large part of the
American population Nazis? I'm use to the arts community being left wing,
always has been and probably always will be.
  But seriously, this sort of slander and hate is OK with everyone here?

And finally, the worst of this is that Phillip has denigrated the memory of
the true Nazi victims. Phillip's post is nothing but a mean spirited
trivialization of a true world tragedy. Give a handful of the folks in 1942
at Dauchau a choice between the Nazis and the Republicans and lets put
Phillip's hate speech to a test.

Tom

On Apr 29, 2006, at 7:17 PM, Phillip Murphy wrote:

> It is very simple. When a message is sent with "Off-Topic" in the
> subject line, one knows in advance of opening the message that it does
> not relate to Alt photography; delete messages with "Off-Topic" in the
> subject line or have your email client filter them into your junk mail
> folder. This is an easy thing to do and you needn't be bothered with
> subjects that don't appeal to you.
>
> I have no doubt that there are more than a few alt-photographers
> effected in New Orleans; and I'm of the opinion that the disaster from
> Katrina and the root of it's cause has everything to do with the
> present Administration of the US government and it's like-minded
> reich-wing supporters over the previous administrations. Don't kid
> yourself.
>
> One hundred years ago, when San Francisco lay in ruins, the British
> Journal of Photography not only reported the disaster but called upon
> all of its subscribers to help their fellow photographers in that
> great City with donations.
> Are alt-photographers so above the fray that it would be so
> "off-topic" to discuss a catastrophe that has had such a global effect
> ?
>
> -Phillip
Received on Mon May 1 00:17:02 2006