Date: Sun, 28 May 2000 12:52:55 -0700 (PDT)
To: toon@rdwarf.com
From: Kurt Schiller <kurt@sandwich.net>
Subject: Editorial of an Editorial

Dear Mr. Toon,

     First off, I'd like to say that I admire your wit... on occasion. Howver, there is such a thing as 'going too far,' and 'beating a dead horse.' Firstly, I'd like to point out some things. Here's a quote from your page:

     "Do you ever wonder why we can't speak freely on FSM? ...unless we're saying nice things on the OOC board about the wizzes, of course...."

     Have you ever heard the phrase "I do not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it"? It makes a simple truth: if you preach freedom of speech, it must be freedom for *everyone*. With freedom, there can be no double standards. If people wish to defend the wiz-core (and I, for one, do), that is their freedom, just as you choose to disagree with them.

     Secondly, using your own metaphor, have you ever heard of the Nazi Minister of Propaganda? The 'Poison Dwarf' was his nickname... he was a master of twisting the truth, and spreading distrust. Many of your tactics might be seen as parallels to his. (I am not saying that this be true... merely that it might be seen as such.)

     "[...] there's definitely something rotten in the state of FSM," you proclaim. If this be true, then why not simply leave the muck? There is a contrast between 'Freedom of Speech/Expression' and purely flagrant violations of etiquette and, indeed, common sense. This contrast goes: It is not within your rights of freedom of expression to scream "Fire!" in a crowded theater. This is, to me, what you are doing... some of the time.

     For one, I believe that your 'resources' cartoon, and the 'powergaming' cartoon were actually rather funny. However, the cartoons which have pictured (or, by some people's definitions, 'attacked') specific people have -not- amused me. Many of those pictured have been my friends for a year or more. I, myself, did a satirization of FurrySpace - it was called the BlurrySpace Chronicles. However, my cardinal rule was this: I would hesitate to parody situations that I was not present for, or characters who I had never met/interacted with. Why did I do this? Because, by not having been directly involved, I couldn't hope to understand the true context, and therefore would risk offending someone, possibly one of my friends.

     So, Mr. Toon, for your *good* efforts, I commend you. For your tasteless/etc. efforts, I scorn you. And, for your apparent misunderstanding of the nature of 'Freedom of Speech,' I feel sympathy for you, and offer this as advice: Tolerance given yields tolerance received. Also, if FSM is, as you put it, 'rotten at the core,' then why not find yourself a new apple?

     Sincerely,

         Kurt McCray Schiller, MacRae's player

PS: Feel free to print this mail, either in whole or in part, as long as my name is included with it, and as long as there is a link to the full version. I desire no anonymity, as it is my personal belief that one is willing to leap off a cliff, one must also be willing to hit the bottom of the canyon.