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G4EBT > WOEFUL 02.08.03 02:49l 152 Lines 6767 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 4E1259G4EBT
Read: GUEST
Subj: Re: VK packet "running on empty"?
Path: DB0FHN<DB0RGB<DB0MRW<OK0PKL<OK0PPL<DB0RES<ON0AR<ZL2TZE<GB7FCR
Sent: 030801/2343Z @:GB7FCR.#16.GBR.EU #:7696 [Blackpool] FBB-7.03a $:4E1259G4E
From: G4EBT@GB7FCR.#16.GBR.EU
To : WOEFUL@WW
Bob, VK6BE wrote:-
> No, David, it suggests that such behaviour is uncommon on VK packet.
I've replied directly to Bob in an SP, quoting text from recent VK
bulls, which I wouldn't quote in a bulletin, as the words used were
so disgraceful.
I can only repeat that the recent bull headed "Oz" under the misnomer
"Humour", contained a six-letter word that in the UK would have us off
the air in an instant.
That bull contained racist, sexist, homophobic, and xenophobic comments,
and allusions to incest in Tasmania. Under no circumstances can this be
considered suitable material for packet radio, and it was commented on
in the UK under the title "VK Filth".
Bob had re-issued part of that bull, including the six letter word, and
said he thought the bulletin was "very funny". I'm not taking pot shots
at Bob, but I can only say that if this is the general view in VK, (and
I've not yet seen a single VK condemn that bull, so maybe it is the norm),
then our culture and values are very different indeed.
I can't think of any venue in the UK at which such so-called humour
would be considered acceptable, even less so "funny".
In the UK we have 7,000 foundation licensees. Many are young - some not
even in their teens. Some will be the sons and daughters of radio
amateurs.
Has packet radio finally descended to a point at which it needs to
be regarded alongside internet "chat-rooms", with parental supervision
needed, or does it still retain a modicum of decency?
> Now don't let us start another international war please.
I'm not trying to start a war - my earlier bull raised legitimate
concerns, in what I hoped was an acceptable, non-confrontational way. I
tried to choose my words carefully, and explained why - unless standards
of decency improve, we in the UK will want to distance ourselves from WW
packet, and confine our packet activity within our own boundaries. I think
that's a shame in an international hobby, but as each day passes, it seems
an ever more likely prospect.
> If you live outside this country you really have no clue as to what the
> true situation is and you really should not comment..
That cuts two ways. Maybe you chaps haven't a clue what life's like in
the UK either? This is multi-racial, multi-cultural country, which is far
from perfect, but we neither understand nor appreciate so-called "humour"
which reinforces racial, sexual, and gender stereotypes. Nor do we feel
that jokes about incest are "very funny", or suitable material for packet.
If that sort of stuff goes down well in VK, that's where it should stay.
All I can say if it does go down well is: "No - I don't have a clue about
VK, but I'd rather be here than there".
I'm not trying to engage in a dispute, I'm expressing legitimate concerns
that four and six letter words have appeared in VK packet bulls recently,
and I just don't think that's on, even though seemingly, if people do want
to engage in that stuff, to quote Ernest Hocking, WIA Federal President:
"There's no requirement under the ACA amateur radio licence regs for
amateurs to use only reasonable language, and act in a courteous manner
while on air."
May I suggest that laxity in the regulatory environment isn't a good
reason to allow this hobby to descend to the worst excesses of CB and
the internet? I hope that isn't a controversial point on which to
predicate an argument. If so, it isn't one I wish to engage in.
In due course, I'll be interested to receive a response from the Federal
President of the WIA and the ACA as to their views on acceptable standards
of behaviour, and the ambassadorial role of VK amateurs on packet.
As I said in my earlier bull, I haven't put any messages out to ww for
four months, and I'm not going to make a habit of doing it now. Until VK's
clean up their act, they'll find less and less UK amateurs engaging in ww
packet for the same reasons.
We have enough activity within these shores to operate to higher standards
of decency, and that's what I suspect most UK amateurs will do. Someone
has to put a stop to the toxic, adversarial culture that has pervaded
packet these last few months, and it looks like that's going to have to be
us in the UK.
Once more, I'm not tarring everyone with the same brush - there are many
fine amateurs on VK packet. I can do no better than repeat what I said in
earlier bulletins:
10 March 2003;
"How refreshing to see such a friendly bull. 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".
"Unfortunately, this is coupled in some instances, to an overly sensitive
tendency to get very "prickly" if they perceive any unguarded comment to
be the slightest bit critical, even when it wasn't meant to be".
On 13 March 2003, I wrote:
"If I visited Australia, I believe I would find it to be a go-ahead
country, with a mixed and stable 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. Have I got
this wrong? I don't take a couple of packet ops as my reference point for
a whole continent of 19.1 million people, and 7.7 million square KM's".
"Like many visitors, my first port of call would be Sydney, which on
a quality of life index of 39 factors, ranging from recreation to
political stability, ranks 4th in the world alongside Geneva. Melbourne
is 12th - New York, Paris and London don't even rank in the top 12".
End quotes.
So yes, as Bob says - I don't live there, I've never visited Australia,
and I haven't really got a clue about what it's like. My perceptions are
based on what people tell me who have been there, those who have settled
there with whom I correspond, and from books, films, and TV.
Nevertheless, I hope my perceptions as outlined above aren't too far away
from how Australians would describe their country, and I can only repeat
that I don't base my perceptions of 19.1 million people and 7.7 million
square KM's on what I see on packet. If I did, it would paint a much less
rosy picture. For now, I'll keep my rose tinted spectacles on, and hope
for more uplifting stuff on VK packet.
I hope people will see this as a balanced response rather than a rant, or
"flaming". I'm not sending any more bulls out on this or any other topic
to ww, but will respond to SP's.
Sent with goodwill to all radio amateurs everywhere.
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: 00:03 on 2003-Aug-02
(Registered).
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