OK then, you all can commune and grieve where you will, and I will
delete as I will. I hate to seem heartless, but this is just not the
place I would choose to express myself on this.

Unfortunately, I think it's inevitable that this will disintegrate
into another caustic political thrash-about that does not serve this
group in the least. At that point I guess I'll have to decide whether
to give up this great and treasured resource for the unworkable
archive searches.

It's not a request for censorship; it's a request that we remain on
topic. Surely there are plenty of other forums for your feelings. I
don't remember the discussion veering off-topic for any other tragic
and tremendous loss of life -- ever.

Ed Carroll

>I cannot disagree with you more. The nature of this list goes beyond mere
>mechanics of a lump of metal and plastics. I suspect many of us could not
>truly explain our attractions to these vehicles, and that is precisely why
>we remain so devoted to them, and brings us together.
>
>In times of horror and grief -- and if you don't feel horror and grief after
>yesterday, I have nothing but pity for you -- it's only natural that we
>reach out to friends and loved ones to bond together. We are undeniably a
>social creature, and so much of our strength and ability to overcome
>enormous tragedy lies in that fact.
>
>And for many of us, I also suspect that this list is more than purely an
>informational source...it also provides a connection to people who share
>something intangible with ourselves. Total strangers? Sure...but
>nevertheless, there is that bond.
>
>I'm not at all suggesting that the list should be flooded with political
>rhetoric. But to suggest that we ignore the enormous tragedy that affects
>the entire planet to one degree or another, to mandate that we restrict our
>communications to what is ultimately a trivial nature...this, in my belief,
>is a suggestion that we deny the kinship many of us feel with the other
>human beings in this forum.
>
>The messages offering assistance, or the messages asking for help in
>locating missing loved ones, or the messages simply expressing condolences
>and support for us all -- if these messages in some way offend you, disturb
>you, or distract you, then I suggest you remain silent and delete them. If
>you can't understand our desire to reach out, please don't try to censor it.
>
>As I was writing this I learned that a colleague was in Tower 2 and is still
>missing. I sit here filled with helpless rage and sadness. And in ultimate
>irony, though he is not a list member, he owns a Vanagon -- something that
>transcended the impersonal nature of a working relationship and made us
>friends.
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Malcolm Stebbins" <MSTEBBIN@MSVU1.MSVU.CA>
>To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2001 9:38 AM
>Subject: Re: Stick to Vanagons?
>
>
>>  I agree, STICK TO VANAGONs on this list.  Malcolm
>>
>>  On 12 Sep 2001, at 8:09, Ed Carroll wrote:
>>
>>  > Politics and revenge and list community generosity are all
>>  > fine topics, but could we stick to Vanagons?
>>  >
>>  > Ed Carroll