And I AGREE with both of you. As a Libertarian, of sorts, it's the
freedom to speak up that is important. Patti felt her point was important.
Please keep posting them, even if you get no kudos (nothing serious gets you
any of those around here - just had to put that in, didn't ya, Bruce)
Some will agree with you & some day you will say something no one else picks
up on.
I hope this doesn't come across as condescending or obvious. It isn't.
I agree with Dr. Barber's opinion on List sense of humor!!
-----Original Message-----
From: Bernard Barber,Ph.D. <[log in to unmask]>
To: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Thursday, October 29, 1998 11:33 AM
Subject: Re: Ethel
>Patti,
>
>I generally do not respond to the give and take of members of this list,
>but I like you, take exception. I to your condemnation of the humor of the
>group. It certainly is your right not to laugh or to delete, but I'm not
>sure about the need to put others down for their sense of humor. I have
>been a member of this list for 3 years, and have found the members of this
>group to be amongst the most caring and sensitive of folks. Humor, as you
>know, is one way we can cope with reality. Jokes are often a way to cope
>with concrete and bitter reality.I suggest that if you want to do a content
>analysis of the joke, you might consider the composition of our list
>membership. We are composed of folks who have a very personal stake in
>Parkinson's, we all hope for a cure for this most difficult status of life,
>we are not going to get younger, but older, and we all are very worried
>about our future. We worry a great deal about what pleasures we do have and
>have lost. Our jokes are ways we can find a bit of humor about those
>circumstances. We are already too aware of the nature of reality.
>
>I don't think I would have answered your postings, for all have the RIGHT
>to opinion, but I'm not to certain of scolding for our RIGHT to our humor.
>
>
>At 10:40 AM 10/29/98 -0500, you wrote:
>>Dear List Friends:
>>
>> O.K., I was going to let this one pass, but having seen it re-posted,
I
>>am compelled to respond. I enjoy a good laugh as much as the next person,
>>but I am distressed by the cavalier attitude displayed in passing on this
>>"humor." First Ethel was described as "one sandwich short of a picnic." I
>>assume this means that she is incompetent. Given that, I find the sexual
>>nature of the joke tasteless at best.
>>
>> To the sender of this "joke" and to those who think it's funny: Are
you
>>aware that assault, including sexual assault is a serious problem for
those
>>who are institutionalized? Are you aware that this type of behavior
toward
>>someone who is legally incapable of consent (incompetent, mentally ill,
>>minors) is criminal? Would you laugh if Ethel were your
>>mother/wife/sister/daughter/father/husband/brother/son?
>>
>> Would you laugh if this joke were about wife-beating, sex with
children,
>>gay-bashing, or a sexual assault on a PWP? Have a little sensitivity
here,
>>and consider what you are condoning. What we are talking about here is
>>victimization.
>>
>>Patti
>>
