Replies to post #4401 on The Jailhouse (JAIL)

[Koikaze]

Dear Bird of Prey,

I'm not sure whether or not you feel your message warrants a response. To avoid any appearance of rudeness, and since I have a few free minutes, I'll respond as well as I can.

I think it is important to point out that my message was, and was clearly labelled as, an expression of my opinion. It was not addressed to anyone in particular and sought to criticize no-one.

My message pointed out (though, I confess, in far too many words) that the opinions I was referring to were heavily influenced by the bias of the writers, and that it might be beneficial for the writers to consider that. It also suggested the futility of extreme opinions in an arena where control is vested in others.

Now, with regard to your message. You wrote several things that I don't understand. I'll address them individually:

You said, "And while it may seem like a good idea for 'everyone' to take the same view of the owners as you do, if everyone was of a like mind there would little need to discuss much of anything. For who wishes to read an opinion followed consistently by 100 posts of 'I agree' in various forms?"

a) It's not an important point, but I don't recall saying that "everyone" should share my view of the owners.

b) Taken by itself, the assertion "if everyone was of a like mind there would little need to discuss much of anything." may have some merit. However, when you take the narrow "view of the owners" and expand it to cover "much of anything" you are taking unwarranted liberty with rational thought.

c) I agree with the implied negative response begged by your rhetorical question "For who wishes to read an opinion followed consistently by 100 posts of 'I agree' in various forms?". I simply lack the wit to understand how that relates to me or the opinion I expressed.

I have not been loathe to express contrary and unpopular opinions on this site. I have been seen to defend a maligned member and to castigate, publicly, an uncouth individual. It seems to me your rhetorical question is gratuitous and adds nothing to the topic of expressing opinions.

You continued with "Further, the request was made in public for 'constructive criticism', I responded in public because I believe that more than a few folks besides the management could benefit from the criticism given."

a) Your assumption that my comments about criticism were directed toward you is incorrect and unfair to yourself.

b) My comments expressed my attitude, and, as I said in closing, "Yours may differ."

When you say, "(the owners) still have a responsibility to we 'guests' to deliver value for our purchase.", I agree. The question of "value" is, however, like so much else in our lives, subjective. What I consider to be of value may be dross to you. That circumstance, alone, makes it impossible for the management of iHub to be equally gratifying to all comers. When the day comes that I don't feel I'm getting value for my subscription to iHub, I'll leave ... in the same way I left Raging Bull.

Your comment, "Perhaps you feel it is acceptable to continue without comment when you see another customer 'mistreated'" ignores the obvious: What you see as mistreatment may appear to me as just retribution.

I'd like to comment on your assertion that "Either way by doing so you condone the mistreatment and as such grant your consent to be treated that way when the time comes...for when there are no more 'bad guys' to mistreat...the 'good guys' become the new 'bad guys'."

I've had occasion before to comment on your capacity for clear thought and rational presentation. This is not an example of it. I much prefer (what I deem to be) your thoughtful, intelligent presentations.

In closing your message, you ask if "Respect is subjective?". This is, I take it, an idea that occurred to you while reading or responding to my message. I've never considered the question, but now that you mention it, it seems to me that disrespect can certainly be subjective, so I suppose respect can be also. What a wonderful description that is of our old standby, "If the shoe fits, wear it."

Fred
iHUB is my hub!