I have never met Marcel Deste in person, as some of
you have. I have largely chosen not to participate in
any & all political discussions/debates in which he
became involved, as many of us have, though some have
not. So I'll stick to what I do know.
I have had extensive private discussions with Marcel
via e-mail. These concerned my interest & creativity
as a musician & lyricist. I have found Marcel an
unflinching, yet compassionate & deeply sensitive
critic. He's told me things I didn't wish to hear,
and explained them in ways that made me understand
that they were, nonetheless, things I NEEDED to hear.
Working with him this way has given me a deep and
abiding respect for him. I number him among my
friends ... and will continue to do so.
And lest you think me pandering, he's also taken
several jumps into the proverbial lake at my request.
Which is to say ours was a level playing field, and
here's why ...
We agreed to a set of rules, not unlike those that
govern the jmdl. They were as simple, straightforward
and even-handed. Marcel always played by them ... and
so did I. That he would do so in our discourse, and
not so here, strikes me as a singular inconsistency.
And one that recent events do little to convincingly
explain.
As Marcel has been prevented from defending himself, I
shall stand up a bit for him -- knowing full well the
risks inherent in taking that position. Some may not
like what he had to say. Others may take offense at
the way in which he chose to say it. But that he has
now been singled out for exclusion from this list
strikes me as the worst sort of prejudicial
censorship.
Others have said equally unlikable things ... and have
said them in similarly offensive ways (privately &
publicly) ... and yet they are allowed continued
participation. I hope the list administrator will
reconsider, but fear he will not.
As for myself. I'll stay. In the hopes that I may
still consider others on this list my friends, even
after this post.
To those and others ... please respond to me
privately, should you feel the need. I have no desire
for this to become another publicly prolonged trench
war.
I just felt I had to say something in Marcel's behalf
(though I know I'd probably get a helluva
tonuge-lashing from him for doing so).
Don Rowe
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Visit me anytime at http://www.mp3.com/donrowe
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