[MD] Re Arlo

[Arlo Bensinger]

[Marsha]
I don't read 90% of the back-and-forth posts between you and 
Platt.  And that is too bad because I could learn from you 
both.  It's my loss, and I resent your behavior.

[Arlo]
I find it interesting that you always berate me for being 'mean' or 
whatever to Platt, and yet I have never seen one post to him berating 
me for his insipid comments and continued use of distortions and 
dishonesty. I mean, did you come down on Platt when he said I was 
teaching my daughter to be dishonest!... no... you came down on ME 
because I pointed out that even my teenager daughter was able to 
understand that 'in context' the meaning was crystal clear.

For whatever record, I have tried to have civilized discussions with 
Platt over the years, but as I pointed out, its a massive genre 
conflict, and ends up in the morass of talk-radio buffoonery so he 
can evade reasonable questions (I still have the list, its been 
growing, I can always reprint it).

And like you, Marsha, who make baseless accusations about "stifling 
free speech" and then retreat to empty "meowing" when asked for 
evidence. I grow tired and weary of such nonsense, if you had 
evidence to support your claim, you could have easily posted it, but 
you KNOW you did not, and instead of an apology for such a dishonest 
accusation, you simply did you typical song and dance about 'not 
wanting to play'. Whatever. As if demanding evidence for such a 
dishonest accusation was 'playing'.

So you'll forgive me if I take your latest complaint with less than a 
grain of salt.

[Marsha]
My agreement with Bo was based on my own research and insight, and 
has not been taken to ruin your life.

[Arlo]
Oh really? I thought I was afraid of Bo's pet theory because it 
spells the ruination, and damnation, of all us evil, convoluted, 
"SOM" academics everywhere! Philosophy departments will crumble! 
Universities will shut down! We will all be exposed for the "henchmen" we are!

Personally, I don't care about Bo's theory. But my challenge to you 
is the same. If Bo's ideas are BETTER than Pirsig's, then make that 
argument! Go for it! Convince us all why Bo's ideas are superior!

Sadly, though, this never happens. The anti-intellectual 
emotionalism, which is the ONLY ground for the SOL, is so completely 
blinded by its need for interpretative legitimacy that the entire 
dialogue has now devolved to who speaks for Pirsig's pre-hospitalized 
self, Pirsig or Bo. And THAT, Marsha, is appalling and part of the 
absurdity that is the SOL.

[Marsha]
Your your nasty aggressive techniques could never change my mind.

[Arlo]
Who is trying to change your mind? I could care less what you think. 
You can believe the world is flat, that leprechauns infest your 
backyard and that the moon is made of cheese for all I care.

But when you start saying that 'Pre-hospitalized Pirsig can be 
interpreted as saying the world is flat, and everyone who listens to 
present day Pirsig is a henchmen for evil, corrupt intellect, and 
only Messiah Bo has seen the One True Path and it is to a flat 
world...', and that goes on for years and years, with nothing but 
ongoing distortions and dishonesty, then yeah then you might expect a 
few 'nasty aggressive techniques" in response.