[Dialogue] Enough, I withdraw

[jim rippey]

Steve:

1.  I wasn't aware you've spent any of your life in the petroleum industry.  Nor do I see what that has to do with the Dialogue.  It just seemed to me your attitude implied you were the expert on South American affairs and that we should pay attention.

2.  If you believe that neither Jim Baumbach nor I refuted any of the columnist's statements... And if you really think we spent the bulk of our emails insulting him, then you and I simply don't see the same reality.  In a real dialogue, people do often have differing opinions.  It can be constructive and in the process, sometimes people do gain new insights.   

3.  I never accused you of voting Republican.  ( As for me, I actually did, a long time ago.  Democrats haven't always been perfect.)  I never implied you were morally obligated to approve of everything Chavez does.  I certainly don't.  But you did express skepticism Chavez would not create a workers utopia.  And I did say you may be right, but I hope you are wrong.  

4.  It seems clear the point of Jim Baumbach's quarrel with Friedman was the savage, dogmatic way Friedman blasted Chavez as a "petrodictator."  I agree with that criticism and with other valid points Jim made.  As far as I am concerned, we were talking about "WHAT IS GOING ON!!"

5.  I'm not sure what it has to do with this discussion.  But I'm glad you don't approve of the CIA's part in Allende's demise.   Me, I'm just glad my second daughter is OK.  She and her husband were in Santiago at the time and were known Allende supporters.  They got separated in the confusion and my daughter, in particular, was lucky to get out alive.

6.  I began my part in this Dialogue by saying I was puzzled by your criticism.  At no time did I say or imply you were a moron.  But you do seem to have an over active imagination.  And, yes, I still am puzzled.  But now, in addition, I am taken aback by the venom with which you express yourself.  Saying "Grace and Peace" doesn't ameliorate that.

So go ahead and say whatever else you must.  However, I withdraw from any further discussion.

Jim Rippey







Apparently if one disagrees with you, you consider that you've been labeled a moron.  
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