In a message dated 1/6/00 2:02:24 PM Eastern Standard Time, [log in to unmask]
writes:

>  or inappropriate, depending on who you want to hang for using this shit in
>  the first place) material.

Ralph,

I admire anyone for carrying forth a civil conversation about realistic
problems, or the perception of our problems, without their jumping immediatly
to negative accusations. I also admire anyone who can step back, take a
second look, and admit that they may have been hasty in their statements.
Both Michael & Pat are expressing what I consider very real problems. I
admire John Horton for sticking up for himself and having the guts to carry
on the investigation and make corrections. I also admire Larry Riddle for
sticking up for his company, as we all should. I have my own bias toward
products, but I WANT to hear all sides. We will not hear much of anything if
we are stabbing each other over brand names.

I am reminded that one day our lawyer said to never write in a letter that an
engineer could kill someone from their foolhardiness, this was the day after
I mailed the letter. I still think the engineer was a doddering idiot.

I also am reminded of an early lesson in project management to never attack
anyone on a personal level in correspondence, this did not stop me from
telling the dim-witted procrastinating hardware salesman that I was preparing
to come over to his office and bust up his desk with an axe if he did not
have the )(%U)#(*% doorknob order to us within 24-hrs. This was the OLD
school of construction management, the kind of thick skinned management that
got a lot of the NYC infrastructure & buildings built in the first place.
When I found out the guy's 3-yr old daughter was terminal I felt like a shit.

It does not pay well to go out of our way to make enemies in a short life.
They will find us soon enough, and then we can eat.

][<en