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Archiver > GEN-MEDIEVAL > 2007-12 > 1197749701


From: "Leo van de Pas" <>
Subject: Fw: The personal attacks in this group
Date: Sun, 16 Dec 2007 07:15:01 +1100


Thank you Margaret. Good to see that Richardson's behaviour is seen by many
more for what it is.
I fear that ignoring his behaviour only will encourage him to continue,
"people remaining silent agree, or at least accept his behaviour".

Richardson has been preaching "making friends" and "collegial behaviour" I
am all for these. but a requirement is that you answer requests in regard of
genealogical statements you (Richardson) make. If you cannot defend a
genealogical statement, you (Richardson) should not make them..

As I have said many times, Richardson is a tragedy. _If only_ (how do I
dislike those words in this combination) he could behave differently, he
would have a whole group of supporters and genealogy would benefit. Now he
has created suspicion about everything he says.

Many thanks for speaking out.
Leo van de Pas,
Canberra, Australia


----- Original Message -----
From: "Margaret" <>
Newsgroups: soc.genealogy.medieval
To: <>
Sent: Sunday, December 16, 2007 6:48 AM
Subject: Re: The personal attacks in this group


>I agree that when something wrong is going on, people should speak up.
> So I'm sending this.
>
> However it looks to me as though Richardson is perversely provocative
> knowing full well that decent people feel the need to put things
> right. It's hard to tell whether he knows what he's doing or not, he
> doesn't seem to be aware of how ridiculous he looks.
>
> I wonder if indifference would work. He enjoys riling people and has
> no self respect so reasoning will not stop his pretentious arrogance
> and rudeness. More likely he finds any response reassuring. It goes
> against the grain to let his many errors, distortions and
> misrepresentations slide but totally ignoring him might work. Any
> comments could be made under a different heading without reference,
> perhaps. I notice that a few days ago someone dealt a very clever blow
> exposing his stupid citing sources ploy but you see he's bounced back
> as if nothing had happened.
>
> I have not, by the way, changed the heading of this thread. I've only
> responded to Leo's post below.
> yours
> Margaret
>
> On Dec 15, 5:35 pm, "Leo van de Pas" <> wrote:
>> What do you do when, as I did, you give a source showing Richardson's
>> opinion was wrong and he refuses to reply? How professional is
>> Richardson's
>> behaviour? When someone says something, you cannot simply say "You are
>> wrong
>> again" and leave it like that. If he disagrees either he says why he
>> disagrees, or he should remain silent. .
>>
>> Richardson has created a very special position for himself. He placed
>> himself on a pedestal and has rules for others that do not apply to
>> himself.
>> He should be held accountable for his actions.
>>
>> When something wrong is going on, people should speak up. Remaining
>> silent
>> is agreeing with the culprit.
>>
>> Too often Richardson makes a statement he cannot justify, and his
>> "professional" tactic is to ignore, hoping it will go away. For others to
>> look the other way only encourages his behaviour. If Richardson would
>> reply
>> to what is said "personal attacks" would not happen.
>>
>> He maintained Renia was wrong with her statement about Robertson and
>> Robinson, let him say why he thinks it is wrong and what it should be. It
>> is
>> so "unprofessional" not to. If he thinks that for him saying "You are
>> wrong
>> again" is sufficient and others just should stand in awe, he is wrong.
>>
>> Are we a gathering where "pleasantness" is important above all and let
>> correct information suffer to achieve that?.
>>
>> With best wishes
>> Leo van de Pas
>> Canberra, Australia
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "John R." <>
>>
>> Newsgroups: soc.genealogy.medieval
>> To: <>
>> Sent: Sunday, December 16, 2007 2:47 AM
>> Subject: Re: The personal attacks in this group
>>
>> > On Dec 15, 6:42 am, "pj.evans" <> wrote:
>> >> Could y'all keep your personal attacks off-list?
>> >> It makes you look like a class of three-year-olds on a playground, and
>> >> does nothing to convince the rest of us that you are experts in
>> >> medieval genealogy.
>>
>> > I agree. This is an informative and interesting group but the
>> > constant personal attacks are childish and annoying. Please keep it
>> > professional and not personal. If you disagree, state why you
>> > disagree and back up your arguments with sources, not petty personal
>> > attacks. Personal attacks reflects more on the person doing the
>> > attacking than on the person being attacked.
>>
>> > -------------------------------
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