Bill was very nice and wrote me back. (below is his letter to me) He also
told me to forward this letter to the list. Bill,
is there any way we can get you to come back? Please I hope there is.
many people want you back, don't we? And if you absolutely refuse to come
back, do I have permission to e-mail you provately?
Love Forever,
Amy
From: "Amy Gray" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Gerbils Mailing List" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; "Bill Cole"
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
I feel that it is now time for me to say something. I have beent trying
my hardest to not write as much because of the fact people are saying they
are also getting way to much mail. But here is what I'd like to say.
First of all, we have people leaving for these reasons, one is in some of
your peoples words a troll,
Amy --
Your message is very touching. Thanks for sending me a copy.
Please forward this message from me to GML, as a reply to your own
posting.
I think you get it about GML, and you said so very well. GML is there for
people to help people, and also to share amusement and good feelings.
When you had a huge gerbil emergency, it just happened that Ann-Marie and
I, and others, were around to talk you through it. We even talked by
phone, something I have never done with another GMLer. Your emergency
also was the night that I got a generous person at Rice Univ. to take off
GML's daily limit of 100 messages. They could appreciate your need also.
GML is not a popularity contest. I was naughty a few times in the past
week, violating the Charter. I should not have done that, but I felt
SOMEONE had to kick some sense into a few people. As you point out, they
were starting to make GML unpleasant and therefore useless.
You say that people are leaving GML. I'm sorry to hear that. I am one
guy and I made a simple decision for myself. If something starts giving
you more pain than pleasure, then you get out of there if you can. I did
not wish to cause ruckus. I simply thanked everyone for their past help
to me, and mentioned that I was leaving.
I've received a lot of email, some from people I've never seen post to
GML. That was surprising but naturally has made me feel good. I have not
received any email from the people who are thinking "Good riddance".
This morning I got another email from the young woman who had sent me the
final insult. I bear her no grudges and explained that in the following
reply to her.
I wish all the best for you also, Amy.
.... Bill
-0-
My private email reply to XXX -- one sentence deleted --
----- Original Message -----
From: <XXX>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Saturday, January 29, 2000 10:36 AM
Subject: Come back!!!!
| Hey! I got you to read one of my emails.Come back!!!
I read all email to me. I think it is silly to block people.
I have received a lot of email in the past couple days, and I haven't
decided how I can courteously reply to all of it. You are a special case.
You should not leave GML. Whatever you do will not change my mind. Even
though you said you hate me, we could be on the same mail list, couldn't
we?
I did not leave GML because of you. Yes, you sent me an insulting and
ungrateful email. I hope you never do that to anyone again.
But I had decided before that. I had decided I would not accept any more
nasty kid behavior. You just happened to be the one that turned my page.
Kristen is not personally the problem either. It is the collection of you
all. Kristen just happens to be the most foolish, and I think some very
smart teenagers get their jollies from watching her antics. But by doing
so, you all are messing up a very good GML.
You can do something useful. Spread the word among your GML friends that
they should behave toward others as if they were face to face with them.
I don't believe you would have said your nasty words if we were face to
face.
Also spread the word that none of you has a right to make judgments about
others whom you see on GML. And especially you don't have the right to
sneakily gossip.
I have always preached on GML that age does not matter. We are all equal,
and our words there speak for themselves. Michelle once told me that the
rule on most lists is: This is an adult place. You are welcome here so
long as you behave as an adult. Behaving as an adult especially means
giving respect and courtesy.
I think you got into a bad crowd of friends. No -- that's not quite
right. I believe there is a CULT. <sentence deleted> But I also believe
she has a nasty streak and that
she leads you and others into nasty behavior.
I wish the best for you in everything.
regards ... Bill
