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G4EBT > WOEFUL 02.08.03 00:00l 160 Lines 6309 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 001255G4EBT
Read: GUEST
Subj: Re: VK packet "running on empty"?
Path: DB0FHN<DB0RGB<OK0PPL<DB0RES<ON0BEL<GB7FCR
Sent: 030801/2149Z @:GB7FCR.#16.GBR.EU #:7679 [Blackpool] FBB-7.03a $:001255G4E
From: G4EBT@GB7FCR.#16.GBR.EU
To : WOEFUL@WW
Hi David,
I thought some comments on Bob's bulletin, and your response might
be helpful. (I've replied to Bob more fully in an SP to him).
There's no point in my putting this out as a bull - I'd get the usual
"whinging Pom" brickbats were I to do so. Any more of that, and I'll
lose the will to live!
VK6BE wrote:
> I have not seen these bulls with four and six letter words here, and
> would not for one moment support such action.
To which you wrote:
> This suggests that one (or more) M-FILTER is stopping offensive mail
> reaching you. Bravo the sysops who are making a stand against such
> material!
Would that this were so. One of the most offensive bulls in recent times
was the one to "Humour" header "Oz", sent out by a VK. I'm sorry to say
that Bob, VK6BE, a former WIA State President, actually clipped a part
of that bull, included a six letter word that in the UK would put us
off the air, reissued it in his own bull, and said that he thought the
bulletin was "very funny". Hence, Bob can hardly say he's not seen any
four/six letter words when he's actually clipped them into a bull and
re-circulated them.
Here in the UK, that bull was commented on under the title "VK Filth" and
has prompted UK amateurs on packet to agree to not send bulls to ww, or to
respond to VK bulls except as SP's. That's a sad turn of events, as ww
packet doesn't have much of a critical mass, though in the UK, it's still
viable on a "stand-alone" basis.
Hopefully, things will take a turn for the better, but I'm not optimistic.
These days, I mainly use moderated internet newsgroups, where voluntary
standards of conduct are much higher than on packet, which I find bizarre.
Below are examples of what has been originated by VK amateurs in recent
months, which I am proposing to send to the WIA President, and ACA - not
as a formal complaint, but to say that VK's really ought to "raise their
game", in the absence of any regulatory requirements under ACA amateur
Radio Regs to "Use only reasonable language, and act in a courteous manner
while on air". (That shouldn't need legislation - it should be a
cornerstone of the hobby which we all follow): The asterisks below are
mine - the VK's wrote and circulated the words in full:
Quote:
"Anyone who calls CQ on 70cMs must have sh*t for brains".
Quote:
" Terry mentioned the cricket - allow me to mention football. Remember:
Aus 3 - England 1, and all that with 11 Aussies against 22 of England's
"finest". We came, we saw, we sh**ged them. Enjoy!"
VK's may have a different scale of what's considered everyday language,
in which case we're lagging behind, and I hope we never catch up. Part
of the offending text re-issued by VK6BE:
"We, the people of this broad brown land of Oz, wish to be recognised as
a free nation of blokes, shielas and the occasional w*nker". (Six letter
word).
In full, the "Oz" bull contained racist, sexist, xenophobic, homophobic
smut, including comments that Tasmanians believe that "families who bonk
together, stay together".
(Someone's kids could be reading that - maybe the sons or daughters of
amateurs. We have 7,000 Foundation Amateurs in the UK - some not even
teenagers).
It went on to say: "We reserve the right to bitch and moan whenever we
blo*dy like".
Well I can vouch for that. (And VK's call us "Whinging Poms"?).
VK's may feel that the term "Pom" isn't derogatory, but that isn't the way
we see it. Invariably the context in which "Pom" is used is derogatory.
(We have no derogatory terms for Australians - the only term we use is
"Aussies", which I think Australians use about themselves anyway, as a
"shorthand" term).
VK's have to search hard to find anything from the UK which reinforces
unhelpful stereotypes of any nation, and we don't see the "Oz" so-called
humour as an acceptable example of Aussies "poking fun at themselves".
VK6BE concluded by saying "I thought it was extremely funny". To have
endorsed the bull may encourage others to put out similar stuff. (I can
guess the reaction if a G station had put it out).
The UK is a multi-cultural, multi-racial country. It's far from perfect,
but I can honestly say that I can't think of any UK venue in which the
"Oz" joke would have raised a laugh.
Bob VK6BE, went on to say:
> As for the use of four letter words in VK on radio, I have heard very
> little if anything of such and I have been here on HF and VHF for 48
> years. What's more I believe that any VK using such, regulations or
> not, would soon find himself under severe criticism from his peers if
> not from the authorities.
Then I must ask why do VK's put such stuff on packet, in writing, to the
whole world, and why do other VK's condone it, or at least not condemn it?
(If there wasn't a problem, I assume Ernest Hocking, WIA Federal President
wouldn't have raised it as an issue).
Bob went on to say:
> I live here and you can bet your boots I will fiercely defend my country
> against any real or implied criticism.
An admirable sentiment, and while I may have got at cross purposes
with some VK's, they'll never see me run down their country in my
bulls:
10 March 2003:
"On the whole, Australians on packet seem very friendly, and above all
else, display one quality that is singularly lacking in the UK - namely,
a fierce pride in their country".
13 March 2003;
"If I visited Australia, I believe I would find it to be a go-ahead
country, with a mixed economy, a varied climate, exciting, vibrant,
bustling cities, and of course the sea (plus lots of deserts).
I'm sure I'd find the people friendly, hospitable, and proud".
"My first port of call would be Sydney, which on a quality of life index
of 39 factors, ranks 4th in the world alongside Geneva. Melbourne is 12th,
and New York, Paris and London don't even feature in he top 12".
So, David, I hope these wordy notes put this into some perspective,
and help underline the concerns I expressed in my ealier bull.
My kindest regards to you and yours,
73 - David, G4EBT @ GB7FCR
Eddystone User Group Member
G-QRP Club Member No: 1339
QTH: Cottingham, East Yorkshire.
david@crofters89.freeserve.co.uk
Message timed: 21:37 on 2003-Aug-01
Message sent using WinPack-Telnet V6.70
(Registered).
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