Resend as this did not appear to go through while using my <WVGenWeb@citynet.net> address. At 09:24 PM 08/20/2003 -0700, you wrote: >If you choose to conceal your disabilities and spring them on people >unawares, you deserve no apology. Isaiah, In my opinion you have crossed the line with this comment. There are many people in this world and also many volunteers within the USGenWeb Project with various disabilities. Many of these people choose to do the work that they can and not keep announcing their disabilities to the world around, choosing to be accepted for who they are and what they are able to do in spite of the disabilities. I have been shocked and dismayed in reading the past few hundred postings on this list and on USGenWeb-Discuss-L to learn that some of you have chosen to interpret Article IX, Section 2 in a manner that a large portion of the Project would find upsetting and very much against the ideals of the Project and the purpose of the articles. I now truly regret casting my ballot early since there is no way with this year's voting system to submit a corrected ballot. Les Shockey Les Shockey email address = lshockey@citynet.net or wvgenweb@citynet.net RootsWeb Listowner for the SHOCKEY family discussion group. SHOCKEY-L@rootsweb.com Visit the Jackson County, WVGenWeb Page, part of USGenWeb Project at: http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvjackso/JACK.HTM Visit the (West Virginia) WVGenWeb: http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvgenweb/

Mr. NC, With all due respect, I do not believe that you and I are reading the same document where we discuss Article IX, Section 2. My reading of this section makes it very loud and clear that we should not be soliciting donations. of course, you are going to say that we are speaking only of a link from the IAGenWeb home page, where I then respond by stating that the purpose of this section is as clear as a bright and sunny day at the beach. Is there a loophole that you may have discovered that makes the actions of the "Friends of IAGenWeb" fall within the bylaws? Probably so, since the solicitation of money is not on the home page. Does that mean that "Friends" falls within the spirit of the bylaws? No more than smoking marijuana and not inhaling (for the record, I do neither of those - I do not smoke marijuana and I do inhale, but only oxygen, or what passes for it in Atlanta). The spirit of this bylaw is clear that we are here to provide "free" genealogical information. Nothing in the bylaws allows us to ask for any donation or "love gift" or anything of that nature, whether it is the USGWP or the XXGenWeb Project. While I understand the history behind all of this, at least to some extent on some levels, I also understand our purpose. If we are asking for donations, then we are no better than anyone else who says free, but then asks for a donation or invites you to purchase something in exchange for their "free" whatever it is. I have read where someone else mentioned abuse of the system (I believe it was Pam Reid, but could be wrong). This is another concern of mine. If there is a system in place, someone will find a way to profit from it. I had always allowed and welcomed CC's in my Region in Georgia to post information of auctions on eBay for materials that were for sale regarding their county. I am having to reconsider this inasmuch as I discovered that one was listing materials that he was selling on eBay, but with a different name and email. This is an abuse of the system. Are you going to tell me that no one will discover a manner in which to abuse the system, exploit the system, and profit from that personally? I hope not, for such a blanket statement would be an absolute mistake and words which you would, in time, eat. Now, with so many of us expressing and voicing concerns, do you believe that there may be some merit in our contentions? Are you now willing to re- evaluate that situation and make a determination based on our input and the opinions expressed by several of us on this list? Or are you going to continue to enjoy your loophole all the way to the bank? With respect to your comments that, to hide behind and then spring a disability is not deserving of an apology is way out of line. It may even be discriminatory. I don't care about an apology from you and would likely not accept it. I was simply noting for the record that none was offered. You confirmed the same with your insensitive and crass response. Your response was wholly inappropriate and is illustrative of the insensitivity that has marked your regime as NC. I believe it was Les who pointed out that many of us with disabilities do not announce them, perhaps because they are sore points for us, perhaps because they are not an issue for us, perhaps we do not believe that you have a need to know. For that matter, perhaps we simply want to be accepted for the work that we do and the things that we are able to accomplish. Whatever it is, your comments show a complete and total lack of respect for anyone or anything. In closing, Mr. NC, I believe that the voice of the people is speaking through Les, through Bill, through Pam, through me and through others. I agree that most of the members of this project would be shocked by the interpretation of the bylaws and I believe that most would feel that the Friends of IAGenWeb" goes against the grain of our purpose - our stated purpose. Respectfully submitted, Richard R. Pettys, Jr.