Date: Wed, 12 Sep 2001 10:47:27 -0400
Reply-To: Joe Reed <joe.reed@MINDSPRING.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Joe Reed <joe.reed@MINDSPRING.COM>
Subject: Re: Stick to Vanagons?
I cannot disagree with you more. The nature of this list goes beyond mere
mechanics of a lump of metal and plastics. I suspect many of us could not
truly explain our attractions to these vehicles, and that is precisely why
we remain so devoted to them, and brings us together.
In times of horror and grief -- and if you don't feel horror and grief after
yesterday, I have nothing but pity for you -- it's only natural that we
reach out to friends and loved ones to bond together. We are undeniably a
social creature, and so much of our strength and ability to overcome
enormous tragedy lies in that fact.
And for many of us, I also suspect that this list is more than purely an
informational source...it also provides a connection to people who share
something intangible with ourselves. Total strangers? Sure...but
nevertheless, there is that bond.
I'm not at all suggesting that the list should be flooded with political
rhetoric. But to suggest that we ignore the enormous tragedy that affects
the entire planet to one degree or another, to mandate that we restrict our
communications to what is ultimately a trivial nature...this, in my belief,
is a suggestion that we deny the kinship many of us feel with the other
human beings in this forum.
The messages offering assistance, or the messages asking for help in
locating missing loved ones, or the messages simply expressing condolences
and support for us all -- if these messages in some way offend you, disturb
you, or distract you, then I suggest you remain silent and delete them. If
you can't understand our desire to reach out, please don't try to censor it.
As I was writing this I learned that a colleague was in Tower 2 and is still
missing. I sit here filled with helpless rage and sadness. And in ultimate
irony, though he is not a list member, he owns a Vanagon -- something that
transcended the impersonal nature of a working relationship and made us
friends.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Malcolm Stebbins" <MSTEBBIN@MSVU1.MSVU.CA>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2001 9:38 AM
Subject: Re: Stick to Vanagons?
> I agree, STICK TO VANAGONs on this list. Malcolm
>
> On 12 Sep 2001, at 8:09, Ed Carroll wrote:
>
> > Politics and revenge and list community generosity are all
> > fine topics, but could we stick to Vanagons?
> >
> > Ed Carroll
