Re: Thank you

Charles Nelson (jkonopak who-is-at ou.edu)
Tue, 26 May 1998 13:18:19 -0500

Luiz, and Naoki, et al.
Please, be so kind as to inform me of the etiquette I breached when I
remarked on the advent of (admittedly, only US) Memorial Day. I am not
in receipt of "Yrjo"s message. Only those quoted below.
Pray tell, what is the affront I committed that is so gross that it
merits such furious opprobrium (Naoki) and whatsoever emotion that
animates the rejoinder Luiz sent.

Memorial Day: It is the day to recall the sacrifices of the (US war)
dead, beginning with the dead of the armies that ended slavery and
re-joined the (US) Union. I am a veteran (Vietnam), son of a veteran
(WWII), and grandson of another (WWI). I mentioned Memorial Day, which
was the (US) "holiday" that was being commemorated/remembered on the day
I posted the message. I had previously posted my best wishes and regards
to the mothers on the list upon the occasion of the celebration (in the
US) of that date, as well.

Is it that I intruded a "national" sentiment into the discourse? I am
truly curious and not a little bit miffed at the reaction. I do not aim
to excuse myself, especially as I have no idea of what it is I must
(apparently) excuse. (Indeed, I am just barely restraining a fairly
aggressive and rude salutation.)

Luiz Ernesto Merkle wrote:
>
> Naoki,
> I would like to thank YOU very much for sharing this moment with us.
> Last night, when I read your message, and the included quote, I
> couldn't write. I could not believe what I was reading. I even woke up
> after going to bed to check in the dictionary what the Memorial Day was.
> I could not find the original message, or Yrjo's response. It was as if I
> would like to justify the quote appealing to its context. There was no
> such a justification.
> The silence in the list until this morning speaks for itself.
> I've realized that we still have a lot of work to do. We can discuss
> our opinions, but to share our problems in moments like this, as you did,
> is much more than that. It is invaluable not only for establishing an
> identity to this community, but also for remembering that our ethical
> values need to be constantly maintained. By the way, Naoki, you have
> nothing to be sorry.
> I would like also to hear what John has to say. I'm sure it will not be
> easy for him too.
> Thank you again, Naoki.
> Luiz
>
> Naoki Ueno wrote:
> >
> > At 10:33 AM 5/24/98 -0500, (The Left Rev.) John Konopak wrote:
> > >food for thought.
> > >Have a reflective Memorial Day (it's still May 31, btw).
> > >konopak
> > ><jkonopak who-is-at ou.edu>
> >
> > Thank you so much for you reponse, Yrjo.
> >
> > I think this guy lost his own right to disucss the issue on the same
> stage
> > by these strange, immature, selfish lines.
> >
> > I am terribly sorry but, here again, his these lines were becoming the
> lines
> > exactly for himself, not for me.
> >
> > Naoki Ueno
> > NIER, Tokyo
>
> _____________________________________________________________
>
> Luiz Ernesto Merkle merkle who-is-at csd.uwo.ca
> University of Western Ontario voice: +1 519 858 3375 (home)
> Department of Computer Science fax: +1 519 661 3515 (work)
> N6A 5B7 London Ontario Canada www.csd.uwo.ca/~merkle