On  Sunday, July 09, 2000 3:06 AM, Quinn H. wrote:

> David Strike wrote:
> >ROFLMAO!  You're entitled to an opinion - but don't voice a half-assed
one
> >without knowing all of the facts.

> Although Carl responded earlier, I think this was intended for me.

It was!

>My
> comments were not strictly opinion (as if no else does this? - or is it
just
> me?). My comments were based on observation of discussions. So okay, here
> are the FACTS, as presented on the GUE list ...

My comments were hasty and were intended to highlight the point that many
people are quick to condemn organisations or individuals without first
hearing their side of the story - or even understanding many of the issues!
I make no apology for those comments!

In my case, I feel justified in my condemnation of *some* agencies or
individuals - and their practices - because I have KNOWN , (I know Carl
likes upper case), the people concerned, (or because I've felt that they
haven't sufficiently grasped the lessons of history.)   I knew Rob Palmer
and had several discussions with him about Deep Air.  (Had somebody asked
me, then I would have been inclined to say that he was an opponent of the
practice!)  I also knew quite well a couple of the other TDI 'victims'.

(By the same token, I can quote a few deep air fatalities from other
training agencies as well! In fact ANYONE who believes that a TECHNICAL
training agency  - I stress "technical", as it's to be hoped that the
majority of members are reasonably experienced - is responsible for a
mind-set shouldn't be allowed out by themselves!!! )

Despite my own diving-related prejudices, I do take exception to others who,
without knowing the background or history of a situation, express 'Party
Line' opinions.  (Paradoxically, I hold this view whether or not I happen to
agree with the person!!!)

It must be a fault in my make-up, but I happen to like many of the people
with whom I disagree.  I also happen to dislike many of the people who hold
views similar to my own!   (And the really nice thing about recreational
diving is that I can always refuse to dive with anyone who gets up my
snotter merely by saying, "NO!" - or in the case of an imperialist septic,
by saying,"Go bite a dead wombat's bum!")

Just to get back on track:

When somebody on the other side of the world - without themselves knowing
the TRUE facts of a situation - start to tell me what I should or should not
do with regard to attending a diving conference, or that they agree with
somebody else who holds those views, then I get the shits big time!

I know that us antipodeans lack any meaningful input whatsoever into
diving - and that the single-hose regulator; in-water recompression tables;
EOD work, etc. etc.we must have *stolen* from somewhere else - but don't
assume that we're bloody automatons prepared to toe "the party line", (to
quote from the words of Chairman Snarl!)

Oh!  And thank you for posting JJ's comments.  I've ALREADY read them - and
am impressed by his self-control.

Strike