This is not AA!!

[Danny Moore]

Dear friends on the list:

I wish I could affirm the "Power of the List" but I'm afraid this
requires a deeper look.

In AA, people are able to affirm the "Power of the Group" because of a
trust factor this is EARNED over a long period of time within a group of
people who have a singular purpose and put all other feelings, issues
and agendas aside in order to achieve that purpose.

The list, on the other hand, invites all viewpoints, encourages
differences of opinion, permits everyone's personal agenda, and more
importantly, crosses all boundaries.

Emotionally, I agree with most of the statements that have been made.
For example:

        Newton says  "I am such an ornery SOB that if I got flamed by a
manufacturer I would re-post the flame for all to see.  I am mad as hell
and I'm not going to take any more."

        Charles says  "I, for one, would look most unfavorably upon any
such intimidation and attempt to suppress free expression by the
technicians on this list.  Are there others here who feel the same?"

        Allan says  "I am with you 100% in feeling that this is a
technical forum that is quite frankly uninterested in intimidation or
heavy-handedness on the part of any manufacturer, group or individual."

        Of course many others share these sentiments, myself included!

Intellectually, we must look closer at the underlying truth implied when
Horace said  "I have finally achieved a situation in which I am no
longer in the position of putting my trust in princes.  Not everyone is
so fortunate."

Here in the US of A, we have grown accustomed to our freedom to exist
without flagrant attack and open violation of our basic civil rights.
Yes, it happens every day, it is hurtful to those it happens to and most
unfortunate, it is usually a result of (quoting Horace again) "So long
as we exist in a society which values money above all else..."

Yes Newton, If I were attacked and my livelihood threatened, I would
forward it to the list for all to see.  I have the comfort of knowing
that I have the US Constitution and Bill of Rights to back me up.  Oh,
there would be a big ordeal and expense pursuing an issue like this
through the civil courts, but it is available as an option.  We also
have the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Federal Trade
Commission, the Securities & Exchange Commission, the National Labor
Relations Board and many other federal and state agencies that are in
the watchdog business.

Foreign companies doing business in America have to conform to the laws
that regulate all trade in the USA.  If another tech, store owner or
factory rep wants to attack me personally or make an effort at
restricting my business, I have numerous avenues of recourse.

Remember, Barrie and Andre' do not live in the United States.  These are
cultural and legal situations that are totally foreign to us (pun
intended.)  I might not be so quick to get in someone's face if I knew
that person, or the group he represents really could put me out of
business and ruin my career.

It seems that we have two situations here:

One, the flaming of individuals by individuals either privately or
publicly.  Really, this damages only the relationship of the people
involved and perhaps shows the immaturity and insecurity of the
"flamer."  For this I would suggest that we all consider the "Golden
Rule."  How would you feel if you received the post you were about to
send.

Two, the violation of one's civil rights by a person, persons or
corporation; threats and attacks that would limit another individual's
career or even end it.  Those who would do such a thing need to be put
on notice - That will not be tolerated within the United States, we have
the laws, the court systems and the regulatory bodies to do something
about it.

Outside the United States?  Unfortunately, we sat and watched the
tragedies of apartheid in South Africa, Tiananmen Square in Beijing and
many others.  About all we can do would be to educate ourselves and the
general public to the persons(s) and/or manufacturer(s) responsible, and
boycott the responsible party(ies).  The bottom line here is the bottom
line.  The P&L statement seems to be culturally universal.

I apologize for this lengthy post so off the subject of piano repair.
It does, however, appear to be a subject of great concern to many of the
list's subscribers.

In closing, let me quote Paul & Sherri's closing remark  "Complex
problems have simple, easy-to-understand wrong answers."

Sincerely,
Danny Moore
Houston Chapter