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From: Glenn Weiser
Date: Sun, 24 Oct 1999 20:09:05 -0400
Subject: Re: Apologia

> From: Winslow Yerxa <76450.32~ompuserve.com>
> Date: Sun, 24 Oct 1999 13:26:52 -0400
> Subject: Apology
>
> I apologize to Glenn Weiser for communicating my final remark in public.
>
> I knew I was going out on a limb saying it, but I felt it needed to be
> said.
>
> But however logically argued it was, however true it might have been to
> point out that reputations can suffer when standards are disregarded, and
> however much I may have felt that this was both a "tough love" message to
> Glenn and a warning to the community that basic standards of verifications
> have a real and fundamental value to knowledge and discourse, it was
> nonetheless indiscreet to communicate the final part of this argument in
> public. It should have been stated privately.
>
> I really do value Glenn's work and am glad to hear that he has worked so
> hard to verify the accuracy of the notes in his transcriptions. (I've even
> tried to help him find a publisher for the Little Walter book after Hal
> Leonard cut it.) It's when he veers off and starts making unsupported
> statements for which he refuses to offer any proof, which he's done on a
> variety of topics over time on this list, that he diminished himself in the
> eyes of thinking people. I hope that someday he comes to understand this.
>
> While I cannot honestly retract anything I have said, I can apologize for
> any embarassment I may have caused Glenn - and any anger I may have
> provoked in others - by voicing the full force of my remarks in a public
> forum.
>
> As to what constitutes a flame war, I'm not sure that I agree with JR Ross
> that it did't come close.
>
> Fire burns and spreads. A flame is an inflammatory remark, intended to
> provoke angry responses. It usually contains provocations which include
> things like character attacks, name calling, and intentionally
> controversial remarks. The tone may be bullying, belligerent, sarcastic but
> it is generally unfair.
>
> Name calling and character attacks? Those came from Glenn. Controversial
> remarks? Well, Bill Price innocently asked what those actual laws might be
> that all the retailers cite, and could anyone produce one? Might be good to
> actually see them. Matter of curiosity. The response that came from Glenn
> was authoritarian - it may be paraphrased as " I have already stated that
> they exist - why are you bothering to ask for proof? Only weirdos have done
> that." All Bill was asking for was to see them, which is entirely fair.
> Several people went to work, and to date have produced a few leads, but no
> smoking gun. Glenn's remarks were entirely unhelpful, and contained
> character attacks and a bullying tone, provoking a series of exchanges that
> have produced more heat that light. If there has been any flame war at all,
> I'm afraid it can be traced to Glenn's original reponse to Bill. If there
> has been a flame war, I apologize for allowing myself to be sucked into it.
>
> If anyone wants to respond further to my remarks, I suggest it be done
> privately. Two days ago, the listowner asked that we cool this thread.
> While I applaud further efforts to bring actual laws to light, this will be
> my last public word on the controversy generated by Glenn.
>
> Winslow Yerxa
> Harmonica Information Press
>
> ------------------------------
Fair enough, Winslow.
In the thread about of the laws I should have cited the fact that a
stste official confirmed that the laws were on the books in the
beginning. I mentioned that last year, and I thought people may have
recalled it. They didn't. That was an error on my part.
I still hold the view that the confirmation of the laws existence by a
state official is sufficient proof here. The problem was that that
wasn't enough for some people. I also readily agree that regard for the
truth and accuracy are paramount-today I red inked the pages proofs of
"Rocker" and "Sad Hours" practically to death ferreting out the
publisher's numerous typesetting errors.
And I should confirm here that Winslow was very helpful last year in
advising me on publishing the LW material, and that I remain grateful
for that (when Hal Leonard sees the first edition of Masters sell out
quickly, they may change their mind on LW-I've already put that bug in
their ear).
So with that, back to business as usual on Harp-L

Glenn Weiser