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Monday, October 22, 2007

I'm sorry...

Apologies are all the vogue these days. Mostly they use the word "regret" a lot and phrase things in passive voice: "Mistakes were made...". I wish I had that much cover.

Every now and then I re-read some article from my archives and find myself perusing unfamiliar words. After a decade or so this is understandable, but four days?

I just read over my post about Dean Kleckner's NYT op-ed article. I could see that a reader could construe it as an ad hominem attack.

That's because it is.

My words were inexcusable. My judgment was incomprehensible, and my choice of words lamentable. Worse yet, they were illogical - calling on presumption and prejudice for baseless accusations. As with most knee-jerk responses it revealed more jerk than knee.

Regardless of our differences, Dean deserves fairness. I apologize to Dean and to you, my readers.

I have deleted the post - which raises some interesting questions in and of itself. We're just beginning to understand how this new medium works, and as more of us stray over the lines of civility, perhaps we will begin to accept some standard practices of commentary to guide our instantaneous outbursts.

As for regret, I have reached an age where I sadly acknowledge the lasting power it has in our lives.

Labels: blog

¶ 5:19 PM

Comments:

I'm sorry also, I'm sorry I didn't have the opportunity to read John's comments.

What Mr. Kleckner has always fails to understand is that other nations have about as much interest in importing American food as we do Mideast oil. Only out of absolute necessity.

Mr. Kleckner also fails to understand VAT taxes widely used throughout the world and how they are rebated on goods exported and assessed on goods imported. Generally in the range of 17%.

John, if you would be so kind please forward your comments on Mr. Kleckners op-ed to tryrsh@yahoo.com for my personal enjoyment.

# posted by Anonymous : 7:07 PM

Anon:

This is just the problem I hoped to avoid. I deleted the post because my apology just called attention to it, which is hardly the way to make amends. My criticisms crossed the line, in retrospect, into personal territory.

Suffice it to say I found Dean's support of farm program reform surprising given his long history in farm policy development.

But what is the point of trying to convince others to a new position if we criticize them for changing their mind?

[See also: Romney, Mitt]

Thank you for reading.

# posted by John Phipps : 8:22 PM

Hi John
I don't know what you published, or said to Mr. Kleckner, but I see a good reason for snail-mail, if not in just the creation of it. Gives you time to re-word and re-read and re-think. The trouble with e-mail and other electronic texting is it can be forwarded in a flash to people who should never see it, and done so quickly, thoughtlessly, ...would never happen if it had to be re-written, or plagerized, ....a hand written note that says "for your eyes only" would be a start to confidentiality, but good luck in today's fast pace of "do then think".
Was it John and Abigale Adams that now have their "love letters" posted for all to see? Sixteen hundred...is that right?? I posted about the marvelous words they used and precision of sentence formation, but as I look at it now, I feel like I have just opened a bathroom door on someone who already had it occupied.

Mel

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John's World Monday, October 22, 2007 I'm sorry... Apologies are all the vogue these days. Mostly they use the word "regret" a lot and phrase things in passive voice: "Mistakes were made...". I wish I had that much cover. Every now and then I re-read some article from my archives and find myself perusing unfamiliar words. After a decade or so this is understandable, but four days? I just read over my post about Dean Kleckner's NYT op-ed article. I could see that a reader could construe it as an ad hominem attack. That's because it is. My words were inexcusable. My judgment was incomprehensible, and my choice of words lamentable. Worse yet, they were illogical - calling on presumption and prejudice for baseless accusations. As with most knee-jerk responses it revealed more jerk than knee. Regardless of our differences, Dean deserves fairness. I apologize to Dean and to you, my readers. I have deleted the post - which raises some interesting questions in and of itself. We're just beginning to understand how this new medium works, and as more of us stray over the lines of civility, perhaps we will begin to accept some standard practices of commentary to guide our instantaneous outbursts. As for regret, I have reached an age where I sadly acknowledge the lasting power it has in our lives. Labels: blog ¶ 5:19 PM Comments: I'm sorry also, I'm sorry I didn't have the opportunity to read John's comments. What Mr. Kleckner has always fails to understand is that other nations have about as much interest in importing American food as we do Mideast oil. Only out of absolute necessity. Mr. Kleckner also fails to understand VAT taxes widely used throughout the world and how they are rebated on goods exported and assessed on goods imported. Generally in the range of 17%. John, if you would be so kind please forward your comments on Mr. Kleckners op-ed to tryrsh@yahoo.com for my personal enjoyment. # posted by Anonymous : 7:07 PM Anon: This is just the problem I hoped to avoid. I deleted the post because my apology just called attention to it, which is hardly the way to make amends. My criticisms crossed the line, in retrospect, into personal territory. Suffice it to say I found Dean's support of farm program reform surprising given his long history in farm policy development. But what is the point of trying to convince others to a new position if we criticize them for changing their mind? [See also: Romney, Mitt] Thank you for reading. # posted by John Phipps : 8:22 PM Hi John I don't know what you published, or said to Mr. Kleckner, but I see a good reason for snail-mail, if not in just the creation of it. Gives you time to re-word and re-read and re-think. The trouble with e-mail and other electronic texting is it can be forwarded in a flash to people who should never see it, and done so quickly, thoughtlessly, ...would never happen if it had to be re-written, or plagerized, ....a hand written note that says "for your eyes only" would be a start to confidentiality, but good luck in today's fast pace of "do then think". Was it John and Abigale Adams that now have their "love letters" posted for all to see? Sixteen hundred...is that right?? I posted about the marvelous words they used and precision of sentence formation, but as I look at it now, I feel like I have just opened a bathroom door on someone who already had it occupied. Mel # posted by Mel : 8:41 AM iXHGgu Your blog is great. Articles is interesting! # posted by OnlinePharmacy : 1:21 AM rmOtSm Wonderful blog. # posted by safe viagra : 11:59 AM ufLSvO Nice Article. # posted by name : 12:59 PM Thanks to author. # posted by meridia over the counter : 1:13 PM Thanks to author. # posted by council bluff ia motels : 1:30 PM Post a Comment << Home US Farm Report host John Phipps surfs the Web so you don't have to... About Me Name: John Phipps Location: Chrisman, Illinois, United States Jan and I farm 1700 acres near Chrisman, IL. I have also written humor and commentary for Farm Journal and Top Producer for 13 years. Please visit my website (www.johnwphipps.com) to learn about my speaking services for your group's next meeting. View my complete profile ARCHIVES April 2006 / May 2006 / June 2006 / July 2006 / August 2006 / September 2006 / October 2006 / November 2006 / December 2006 / January 2007 / February 2007 / March 2007 / April 2007 / May 2007 / June 2007 / July 2007 / August 2007 / September 2007 / October 2007 / advertisement MORE FROM JOHN On the Coffee Table
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