[Air-l] Tyranny of a minority

[Frank Thomas]

I think the simple question : who are you does not deserve such an 
answer. There is no witch hunt here. In all academic exchange you 
present yourself. Some people hint to their position, other say what 
they have done and published in research.
So, this has nothing to do with an authoritarian governance.

Cheers
Frank

Sam Tilden wrote:
> Dear Colleagues,
>    
>   Several days ago I took exception to a rant by Elijah Wright (about Tim Beriers-Lee) on this list. As a result, I was flamed by Jeremy Hunsinger followed shortly by a request from Charles Ess to prove that I am who I say I am.
>    
>   I have been respectful, contributory and have broken no rules either implicit or explicit.
>    
>   Charles, Elijah, and Jeremy are on a hunt to purify the intellectual integrity of this list. They have accused me of being a pseudononymous personality and therefore in violation of the rules set up by the executive board of AOIR.
>    
>   As a matter of principal I am refusing to play their game.
>    
>   This is the only organization that I have ever been a part of that has "guilty until proven innocent" as a governance style.
>    
>   There are 1500 people who own this list. AOIR claims ownership but there are autocrats who rule this list as a whim of agreement or diagreement.
>    
>   I am doing a troject on people who have been labeled and pushished by expulsion from this list. The numbers point to the same 4 0r 5 people who are threated by anyone who challenges them.
>    
>   The new rules expressed by Matt Allen recently codify the power of a few people to remove you if you get out of line. They don't even have to give a  reason. Trial by innuendo is the rule not the exception. This is an anathema to everything I believe is important in scholarship.
>    
>   The real reason that this is happening is that I have enjoyed an association with Reid Cornwell. http://tcfir.org I have made no secrete that I have been in contact with him. Hunsinger, Wright and Ess revile him because he challenges their authority. For me it is guilt by association. It is about 'power' pure and simple.
>    
>   I abhor tryrany in any form. I believe that this list is controled by intellectual tyrants. They do it with velvet words, but it is tryranny none the less. I have enjoyed my association with most of you.
>    
>   What are they afraid of?
>    
>   I am willing to fall on my sword for freedom of expression.  
>    
>   Sam
>    
>   P.S. The written record in the archives is clear - judge for yourselves. Remember, "If you are not part of the solution you are part of the problem." None of you are safe from their judgement.
>
>  
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-- 
..........................................
Dr. Frank Thomas
FTR Internet Research
93110 Rosny-sous-Bois
France