Re: [gentoo-dev] Is anyone a prude?

[John David Robinson <strider@aravir.net>]

> On Sat, 26 Feb 2005 20:44:57 +0000, Ciaran McCreesh <ciaranm@gentoo.org> wrote:
> Have we picked up any prudes, or are they still all using debian? See,
> I'm about to add app-vim/brainfuck-syntax to the tree, and I want to be
> sure that I'm not going to make any Ashcroft-worshipping right wing
> christian rednecks come after me in their SUVs, toting shotguns, waving
> their rebel flags and proclaiming that the Earth is flat.


I feel I should point out that people who aren't Gentoo developers
regularly read this list (not to mention its availability in the
archives).  Some of them (maybe even devs themselves, though I can't
speak for them) have well-formed, educated opinions that you don't
share, and which you have insulted.

Some people, for reasons you would probably actually respect if you met
them in person and asked them why, object to "strong language".  I'm not
one of those people, but I respect them, and I'm kind of surprised to
see a Gentoo developer bash and stereotype them.  Whether or not you
agree with them, you're marginalizing them (not to mention pretty much
all Republicans and Christians who don't take your message with a hefty
grain of salt) when you draw them the way you did in your email.

I know this probably seems like a strong reaction, but for people on the
"other side of the fence", like some friends of mine, your email sounds
like a real stab at the (well thought out, as I'm sure yours are)
opinions and positions they hold.  I guess I don't see a need for that
on a list dedicated to conversation about this distribution's
development.

If you have to ask if someone objects to something you want to do, don't
make him or her have to feel like an idiot, prude, or an
"Ashcroft-worshipping, right wing Christian redneck" in order to
disagree with you.  Even if you don't agree with or understand them, or
decide against their objections in the end, their opinions are just as
worthy of respect and consideration as yours.


- John Robinson

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