I looked again at the poetryetc archives (which I hope will be opened
again soon). I made several factual errors in my "factual" comments
on what happened.
This is a complex feud. When Kent was put on "review" status, he could
have tried to make peace with the list managers at that time, but
apparently that didn't happen.
Nevertheless, ironically, after looking more carefully at the archive,
I've returned to my original position, as articulated in a post to
poetryetc on July 23rd titled "re: KJ unsubscribe" !!
I don't think Kent should have been put on review status without
warning. I don't think he should have been expelled so soon
afterward.
I recognize that I am not privy to any of the backchannel communications,
the insults flung, etc. I can only judge based on the list behavior
itself. I have deep respect for the dilemma of list managers, who
have to think about the health of their list as a whole. I have
intense irritation with KJ's manipulative, rude, provocative
grandstanding. It's more than abundantly clear that I AM NOT
privy to the whole picture here, and cannot judge the managers'
decisions regarding their own list.
However, I can do the limited thing and decide for myself whether it
was fair or unfair, and say so, based on my limited perspective.
And I think the list managers allowed personal animus to goad them
into peremptory action, and that this was a mistake - both unfair
to Kent and playing into his hands. Perhaps it was unavoidable.
Perhaps I'm wrong! But in any case, it's left a bitter taste
in my mouth.
I'm going to resign now from both brit-po & poetryetc. My advice
is to allow Kent to return under the standing rules which apply to
all, with fair warning.
best wishes to all, & so long - Henry
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