Re: An observation

[thomst@netcom.com (Thom Stark)]

> Thom Stark writes:
> > My comment observed that the wording of your statement APPEARED to
> > indicate that you were speaking on behalf of the IAHC, despite your
> > disclaimer.

Perry Metzger responds:

> As I noted, that is not the case. I won't argue any further on the
> point, largely because I'm sick of it.

Excuse me?  WHAT, precisely, is "not the case"?  Your INTENDED meaning,
or the entirely reasonable INTERPRETATION of your actual words?

That, and that alone, was and is my point. 

Since you seem incapable of understanding the importance of nuance in
your communications, (or those of anyone else, for that matter,) let me
see if I can put the thrust of my advice (for that is what it is) into
a couple of handy rules of thumb, to which you can refer on the NEXT
occasion on which you speak ex cathedra:

  1. Unless you are a reigning monarch or a pregnant woman, please
     do NOT use the words "we" or "us" or "our" when speaking of
     your own, personal opinion or viewpoint.  If you insist on
     using those words, be aware that those who ARE attuned to
     nuance will assume that you are speaking on behalf of the 
     IAHC, and don't complain about it when they charge you with
     doing so.

  2. If you don't wish to be accused of having already made up your
     mind, please do NOT make statements about not being prepared to
     make major changes to the 12/19 draft.  If you insist on making
     such statements, be aware that those who ARE attuned to nuance
     will assume that you (singular, if you follow rule 1, 
     collectively, if you ignore it) have, in fact, already made up
     your mind and that the 12/19 draft is, indeed, a done deal.
     And don't complain about it when, having made such a statement,
     you are accused of inflexibility.

Regards,

Thom Stark

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