<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"> <head> <meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"> <meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 12 (filtered medium)">  <style>  </style>  </head> <body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple> <div class=Section1> Hello Marshall:<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Well, I think it is fair to say that you got your wish – EVERYONE told you how they felt about it!  Perhaps you weren’t expecting the strength of the reaction that you got.  It is fair to say that a lot of readers found it very offensive – I held back my gag reflex and made myself watch the whole thing so that my response could be an informed one.  <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Others have made the point that this clip sent by you is free speech.  The supreme court has ruled that “hate speech” is protected speech.  I believe that is correct, even when I strongly disagree with the content.  <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> The great strength of a democracy is the free exchange and debate of ideas.  Our democracy has been a remarkably resilient and pliant one, even when distressed.  <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> The problem with the clip is that it did very little to genuinely inform people.  Instead it was inflammatory.  Everyone is too clever these days to use the “N” word, but that does not mean that the content was not racist.  Indeed, it struck me as triple whammy racism and religious intolerance – black, arab, muslim.  Instead of elevating the discourse, it debases it.  <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> We find ourselves living in a time when our democracy is not functioning as well as it has in the past because the discourse has become so destructive.  Certain elements see character assassination as an effective political tool and use it to further their cause.   They continue to use this tactic because it often works.  But what is good for “my side” isn’t necessarily good for the long term health of our democracy.   Authoritarian societies uses this type of language as standard operating procedure and it is destructive to the free exchange of ideas because the ultimate intent is to repress that speech.  <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Freedom of speech carries with it certain responsibilities.  Just because I am free to say anything does not mean that I should.     Effective advocacy of an idea or a position is one that clearly delineates the ideas and reasons for all to examine.  I believe you have the greatest opportunity to change the thinking of others when your ideas are strong enough.   When we attack the person of the other, then we are bullying.  <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> So, even as I may advocate a position, I am always self-editing:  How can I express the idea more clearly, so as to create understanding and hopefully persuade the other with my reasoning?  Am I being so forceful with my expression that it disserves my intent to persuade?  If so, back off, and find a better way to say it.   If you inadvertently offend, take responsibility for your actions and apologize – which you appear to be doing here.  I accept your apology.  <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Let’s all of us stand back a little bit and try to learn from this.  After all, we still need to live together in this democracy, even those with whom we disagree.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Respectfully,  <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Will Truitt<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <div> <div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'> From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf Of Marshall Gisondi Sent: Saturday, May 24, 2008 8:54 PM To: pianotech@ptg.org Subject: Apology<o:p></o:p> </div> </div> <o:p> </o:p> HI everyone, I apologize that I caused such a reaction.  Someone forwarded this clip to me, and I thought I'd share it to see how everyone felt about it.  I didn't specify my personal ideas whether positive or negative about it.  When I said we should be aware..." I meant, we should know what's out there.  It's good to be informed.  I do apologize for putting this on the tech list, but I thought that like some of the clips that might have been unrelated to pianos in the past that came across our list, this clip wouldn't do any harm.  It wasn't about freedom of speech, but rather about, "Hey check this clip out and tell me your opinions etc., and even more so, just check it.  this is why I didn't discuss it on the list as it wasn't piano related.  I thought it made for good information for anyone to look at on their own.  The short mention of this didn't take up much space or band width, and was not intended at all to offend or up set any piano action geometry.  I'll share my thoughts about it off list of course, but I was simply sharing something that came across my e-mail this morning, and I found the clip rather interesting.  So again before I take off my flame suit, I thought I'd apologize again.  I'll keep it  on just in case someone else wants to do a little mud slinging before the night is over.  :-)   So thank you for understanding and forgiving this guy who likes being well informed in advanced.  :-)  I accept your forgiveness.  Marshall  <o:p></o:p> <div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'> <hr size=2 width="100%" align=center> </div> Change the world with e-mail. <a href="http://im.live.com/Messenger/IM/Join/Default.aspx?source=EML_WL_ChangeWorld" target="_new">Join the i’m Initiative from Microsoft.</a><o:p></o:p> </div> </body> </html>