Facts About Cosequin Challenge
Laney Humphrey (laneyh@mbay.net)
Tue, 10 Dec 1996 09:20:45 -0800
To all ridecampers, especialy Tracy Ingram, President, Virginia Trail
Conservatory, Inc.
I'm normally a pretty mellow, easy going person. I treasure our
constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of expression (yes, I have
voted in every local-national election since I gained my majority) and
believe in letting everyone freely express - up to a limit. In my opinion,
Tracy Ingram is the first person to post to this group on the subject of the
Cosequin Challenge who has violated the limits of decency of expression.
I am sitting her with a wry, sad, sorry little smile on my face,
having read her admonitions and rails (scoldings) against slander and libel.
Because,in her (? - can't always tell from a name these days) highly
emotional state she then proceeds to commit such sins herself. The old
adage, "people who live in glass houses should't throw stones," seems
appropriate here.
Over the past few weeks this list has become my daily indoor
recreation/entertainment, replacing TV and even reading. The quality of
thought and expression of the posts has enthralled me and reaffirmed my
belief in the value of freedom of expression and the ability of the internet
to police itself. This group has no stated rules but I have observed that
virtually all posters, except Tracy Ingram, have observed some unwritten
ones and in doing so have guaranteed and maintained a high level of
communication in spite of great differences of opinion. For example: upon
first posting, identifying themselves by length of time subscribing (even if
lurking) to the list (the implication being that the poster has read the
previous posts); described their involvement in endurance or other LD horse
sports; and finally: with very few exceptions, brevity.
'Nuf said. Laney
PS, Tracy, I would be interested in reading a new submission written in a
less emotional moment, stating the history and facts you would like us to
consider in our discussion of the effects of cash prizes, corporate
sponsorship and publicity into the sport of endurance riding.