Stick with it Bob, right on.
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----- Original Message -----
From: "Robert A. Fink, M. D." <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, December 09, 2000 10:41 AM
Subject: Direction of the List


> OK, folks, it is time to fish or cut bait.  Is this List designed for
> support/education, etc., for people with Parkinson's disease; or is it a
> place to tell jokes, make fun of minorities, and criticize those who
> object to insensitive behavior?  "Boobs", "dumb blondes", and some
> of the other things which have passed for "humor" lately on this List
> can be followed by "kikes", "wops", "polacks", "queers", "crips"
> (which is what I have heard used to speak of PWPs before), and other
> choice epithets.
>
> I had always thought that if something was offensive to one person in
> a group, that common decency dictated that the offensive behavior be
> stopped for the sake of the group; but that apparently is not the belief
> of the majority of the Parkinsn group.  Several people have posted to
> me privately that they support my position (actually, quite a few; and
> you all know who you are); but, for whatever reason, they have not
> posted to the List as a whole.  Therefore, what is being posted on the
> List is continuing blather as to how people like me should "live with
> it".
>
> Well, I will not "live with" acceptance of ridicule or demeaning of
> human beings because they might be "different", or belong to one
> gender/group/race or another.  It is against common decency; and, in
> most cases, the law, as well.
>
> I don't know how many physicians remain on the Parkinsn List.  For all
> I know, I may be the last one.  I joined this List many years ago
> because my father-in-law, also a physician, was afflicted with PD (I
> diagnosed and treated him until he died several years ago at the age of
> 91), thinking that I might have something to offer the people here.  It
> appears that this is no longer the case and if I try to convince folks to
> be more mature and "adult", it is me who is "shouted down".
>
> A copy of this posting is going to Barbara as well as to the List.  I will
> remain here for the next few days, waiting for people to *publicly*
> post their true feelings about the points that I have been trying to
> make (about offensive postings under the guise of "jokes").  Unless I
> see a majority of this List standing in support of sensitivity, I will
> leave this List.
>
> Maybe my usefulness is gone, anyway.
>
>
> Best,
>
> Bob
>
>
> **********************************************
> Robert A. Fink, M. D., F.A.C.S., P. C.
> 2500 Milvia Street  Suite 222
> Berkeley, California  94704-2636
> Telephone:  510-849-2555   FAX:  510-849-2557
> WWW:  http://www.rafink.com/
>
> mailto:[log in to unmask]
>
> "Ex Tristitia Virtus"
>
> *********************************************