Sharpshooters

Thanks Jeff for your mostly-civil reply--and congratulations on your family's new arrival.

I am quite aware of our community's diversity--as regards values and ethical views--and try not to demand adherence to beliefs others don't accept.  At no point in yesterday's letter did I coerce you.  I acknowledge your freedom to respond or not respond--and never suggested otherwise.

Within a well-functioning democratic culture, people advocating social change ought to respond to thoughtful questioning.  In making this statement, I am of course expressing my opinion; I am not forcing it upon anyone.  Should someone reject my 'accountability' principle--as you so adamantly do--I welcome discussion. 

Bloggers often try to influence the esteem in which other opinion-producers are held.  We advocate on behalf of our preferred standards of assessment.  In evaluating a blogger, I place considerable weight upon the quality of her engagement with critics.  If I observe a blogger dodging or gratuitiously maligning critics, I will argue he should be respected less. 

You believe labeling others illegitimate is okay and places no special responsibility upon you; I argue that calling another's legitimacy into question is a grave--usually regrettable--social act, since, in making such a claim I am arguing another person's quality of citizenship should be considerably reduced. 

I am not able to take such a decision lightly--and acknowledge a clear need for accountability when I label another analyst illegitimate.  Should I call another commentator a troll, say, people will be justified in asking me to defend my assertion.  They should by no means accept my illegitimacy-designations on faith.

When we acknowledge others as non-illegitimate participants, we empower them--as we then look foolish when we dodge or censor their questions.  (As a scrappy outsider, I of course happily welcome this consequence.)

A central tenet of the gentleperson's code is to make ongoing effort to resist drawing negative conclusions on others' character--in the awareness that interpersonal sniping is often egoistic and political.

Most people have a yen for validation; prudently expressed, it is an honorable human need.  I have at no point demanded any special validation from anyone, Jeff--and while I enjoy affection, from others, I require it from no one. 

You assail me for 'requiring us to play Internet Policemen'. 

Fair point--though I suspect you too occasionally enforce netiquette.  Us sharpshooters should participate in defining and implementing community rules and standards.  When we promulgate any set of community values, we may at times have to play Internet Policeman. 

You chastise me for demanding dialog with whichever innocent I am currently singling out.  Again--at no point have I ever asserted such a right--nor is my track record notably poor, in selecting my blog's subjects.  (The tarantinoesque Fecke and Pieko implosions are instructive, interesting meltdowns that will reward diligent study.)