Quote:

Although I do not share your feelings (aside from questioning the use of Web sites to advertise otherwise unrelated political statements), it certainly makes more sense that you and others would take offense at the content to which the anti-war banner links, rather than at the banner itself. As for the rest of it ("good" versus "evil", the relative merits of Europe versus the U.S., etc.), I am afraid that we shall simply have to agree to disagree.

>>Not a problem, like I said everyone is entitled to their opinions. However, acting upon those opinions is a different matter. But I can respect any position that is honestly held through the result of thought, reflection, and life experience, so long as the person holding it isn't wearing a tinfoil hat to block the alien mind control rays... .

Nevertheless, as I mentioned, I shall miss your contributions to this site, and I wish you well in your future endeavors.

>>This may not in fact be necessary.
Best wishes, SCOTT

Thank you, Boyd, for removing the link, and so far as I am concerned apology is accepted. I apologize for the intemperate tone of my postings, but frankly I wasn't feeling too temperate about the issue. I will continue to support The Eldritch Dark in any way that I can, be it through mediation, contribution of material, or monetary support.
BEst wishes,
Scott

Well, Scott, you were successful in whining long and loud enough to get the banner removed. Congratulations. I'm sorry that you feel so threatened by the views of those who don't agree with you, but given the quality of the opinions you've expressed thus far, I can't really blame you for feeling insecure.

I'd also like to thank Boyd for removing the link, it takes courage to step back from a position that obviously means much to him. I also need to thank Scott for defending the position of Dr Farmer and myself, which I'm certain he did out of friendship as well as from his own intense patriotism. War is a horrible, traumatic event: during the last two weeks I have felt increasingly uncomfortable over the situation, and raw nerves are quick to react. Hope that things will return to normal now . . . The Eldritch Dark is a great site hosted and supported by a great bunch of people.
-Ron

Since eveyone else seems to be posting a list of demands, I think it only fitting that I do so as well:

I will no longer post on this site unless everyone takes the following pledge:

1. I will have the courage of my convictions, and will no longer act like a whining pussy if someone disagrees with me;

2. I will respect the exercise of free expression in others, will examine the viewpoints of others, and will extract my head from my ass if anyone declines to recognize that I am infallible;

3. I will recognize the fact that a real man comes to grips with divergent viewpoints, rather than whining about them; and

4. I will quit making excuses for my failure to write the definitive CAS biography, rather than excusing my failure to do so by referring to competing critical schools which I would not, in any event, recognize if they bit me on the ass.

Yours in the marketplace of ideas,
Francis D'Eramo

Now who is doing the whining?
Regarding your statement about my "alleged" failure to write CAS' bio: in fact I have begun writing it, however work on the [/b]Selected Letters[b] project has of necessity placed it on the back burner. I have written two of the first three chapters, needing to do the one about the early relationship between Sterling and CAS, have the chapter about CAS' death blocked out (need to reinterview the guy who worked the backhoe when filling the mineshaft in), and am currently sort of stuck in describing Sterling and Smith's latter relationship (I'll work it out, though). Other than that the book is outlined. Negotiations for a contract are in fact underway between myself and a couple of publishers who want to do the book, the chief complication being another, huge Smith project that I am not at liberty to discuss. Arkham House has already offered me a contract based upon the samples I've shown them, but I have a few reasons to hold off signing that are frankly none of your business.
Well, sorry to see you go, Francis. Drop us a line when you ever produce anything. And take it off line. I'd reply to this off line but I don't have your email. If you have a problem with me, let's do it in private.
Ciao.
Scott
wwhateley@mindspring.com

I'm not going anywhere. I was parodying your posts, O Humor Impaired One.

My apologies in advance for the following, but I really can't help offering these wise-beyond-his-years words of Ashton Smith's as a coda (or, at least, my coda) to all of the above. For the words "Socialist" and "Individualist", substitute any dichotomous terms you choose!

"It won't matter so very much, anyway, whether I did or didn't [write Socialist verse], in the days when the world begins to bleach and shrivel, and the sun is blotched with death. Socialist and Individualist, they'll all be a little dirt lodged deep in the granite wrinkles of the globe's countenance. (There's nothing like a cosmic perspective for cheering one up!)".

Letter from Clark Ashton Smith to George Sterling, April 28, 1912.

Kevin, I [/i]know[i] that you are going to be a most appreciative reader of the [/b][/i]Selected Letters[b][i]! :o) Best, Scott

What's wrong with being un-American? Everyone who's not not native to the Western Hemisphere is un-American. Boyd doesn't hate me for being un-New Zealand. :-P

I have a sardonic view of this whole war, so I'm not offened by what any of you think. The more extreme your views, the more entertaining.

Ironic quotes, both from the same AP article:

"I do believe this city is freakin' ours," boasted Capt. Chris Carter of Watkinsville Ga.

"I hope this makes it clear to the Iraqi people that this (the regime) is over and that they can now enjoy their new freedom," (Army Col. David) Perkins said.

Re: Francis' pledges -
It is easy to agree to disagree in an agreeable
manner -- as long as the subject is Clark Ashton
Smith only.

Dr. Farmer, I'm not sure exactly what you mean here. If I'm being chastised for rude, rude I was, but I get exercised when someone suggests that views I hold are unpatriotic, and, well, never mind. I think that all of my posts on other subjects have been models of decorum, and they will continue to be. I also don't apologize for my views or the fact that I expressed them, but I do apologize to the group at large for using profanity.

Now, in the words of Rodney King, "Why can't we all just get along?"

Francis, for heaven's sake, I'm not chastising you - I hadn't
noticed that any rudeness -- I am merely suggesting that all
manner of controversy may be couteously discussed as long as
the subject matter is that for which the site was constructed -
CAS -- any other subject, not germane to that, can find outlets
on innumerable other locations - doesn't that make sense?
Of course, each is entitled to his opinion, although those
who can footnote and document theirs with facts will gather
the attention of a thoughtful reader, all others are essentially
irrelevant to the community at large are they not. No, no
my friend, no chastisement from me, I hold you in deep respect.
yours,
Dr. F

The respect is more than mutual, Dr. Farmer.