Well, I am obviously in the minority, but despite the strong language from some members of this (and who can blame them?), I do not believe the list has gone over the top in terms of the 'digressions' on the national crisis.

Yes, there are more appropriate forums, but I think each and every forum at this time should be willing to listen to ideological debates (even finger pointing) within certain limits.  

What are the limit?  I don't know, but given the scope of the tragedy, I don't think the list has come close to being overwhelmed by digressions.

One unfortunate image of those of us who study grammar is that we focus on minutia.  This stereotype is not true, but I think that insisting we focus only on technical aspects of language is not going to change anyone's mind that grammarians are out of touch with the bigger issues of communication.

So I guess I would enter a small plea for more tolerance of the digressions, for a little while longer at least.

larry beason

<<< "Paul E. Doniger" <[log in to unmask]>  9/15  6:22p >>>
I think no one has said it better than Johanna and Bob have done below. Now
let's stop the digression and move the list back to its true center of
attention.

Paul E. Doniger
The Gilbert School

----- Original Message -----
From: Bob Yates <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, September 15, 2001 4:48 PM
Subject: Re: reply to Ken Bain


> Dear list members,
>
> Let me second Johanna Rubba's request.
>
> > I am going to call once again for a cessation of ideological debate on
> > this list about this particular incident, the roots of terrorism, George
> > Bush's honesty, the reasonableness of past US actions, etc., etc.
>
> For me, one of the great attractions to the study of language is that it
is the one
> unique quality which every human being shares with every other human being
in the
> world.  We are all born with this wonderful capacity; only the most
extraordinary
> conditions can prevent us from learning  language.  Despite the apparent
> differences we experience on the surface of the world's languages, all the
world's
> languages are fundamentally related to properties which every human being
is born
> with.
>
> For almost twenty years I have had the good fortunate of teaching English
to people
> from all over the world.  My spouse was not born the United States.  As a
> consequence, I  have lived for several years in other countries.
>
> In my professional life and private life, I both celebrate the diversity
in human
> beings and the fact that beneath that diversity are properties which I
share with
> all other human beings.  I truly believe that those who planned and
carried out the
> attacks on Washington and New York are fundamentally opposed to the kind
of
> diversity and universal humanity which I celebrate
>
> For people of good will all over the world, this is not a time to engage
in finger
> pointing when there are among us some who hate our world so much that they
will do
> literally anything to destroy it.
>
> Bob Yates, Central Missouri State University
>
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>

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