DIGGER, voice for good or SWP polemic?

[BAJR Host]

Beer Beast put me in an impossible position.

The Digger 38 (which will be online in the right place tommorrow) does contain.. amongst several other excellent articles of real relevance to archaeology in the UK today... the 'problem' letter.

In fact... most of the letter is perfectly valid.... the only bit that I disagree with (and [u]had </u>edited accordingly after talking wpreviously with Beer - for the online version) was the section on seeing photo of Oxford Archaeology buildings going up in smoke and a directors head on a stick. These IMHO ruined the letter which was in general a fair summation to anyone who has not got there eyes glued together.

So there you go Beer... you had your wish for BAJR to make a statement... and act accordingly. The letter has been edited in such a way that it does not damage the flow of the letter and was also backed up by a careful sentence on why I have done it (I do not like censorship without explaining why)

One line in one letter and suddenly BAJR is full of anarchist idiots and the Digger is a rag produced by a political extremist - strong words indeed. Whats going on.?

Now that you know I have edited the letter for the online version, and do not agree with the words used in that particular line of text..... what about you.

You have some hard descisions to make too.

I serve archaeology and truth.... do you wish to explain your comments about 'anarchist idiots' - are these CBA, IFA or Britarch policies? I seem to getting on very well with them just now. Does he feel that Archaeology companies are 'perfect' and have no need to listen to people who have a beef?

You have forced this issue and put lights around it.... My stance is clear and I feel it is fair... what is yours.

Perhaps you could contact me and explain why you have acted in this way... :face-confused:

Another day another WSI?

[Real Job]

quotehould the editor of the Digger be allowed to pursue a private (Marxist) agenda without the wider readership being aware of it?

Beer Beast, what do you mean? You don't have to send a donation to the Digger - though personally I think it has been a force for good. Who exactly are you to say who should and should not be allowed to edit it?

As for being aware is concerned, someone would have to have their head stuck up their bum not to realise that the editorial policy of the Digger is a wee bit left-wing (I think you insult the intelligence of its readers...). I for one would rather not have it replaced with the dull drone of Blairite orthodoxy advocating zzzzzz

Host, the offending letter seems to be replying to the previous edition's letter in a similar tone. I don't see anything wrong with the original or any need to edit it - If I had written it I would not have used a named institutiuon. But it does sound as though there is something personal behind all this, which may explain the naming and subsequent fall out.

[BAJR Host]

the edit is in the spirit of the letter... you will see that it is changed only slightly..

I reiterate... if you don't like what you read.... disagree... YES.. but don't tell me or the Digger what they should do. In this case the edit concerns only the Unit.:face-approve:

Another day another WSI?

[BAJR Host]

Glad to hear it.... Still look forward to your answers

Another day another WSI?

[vulpes]

I don't think the letter is a fair summation of anything David and I'm shocked that you would think so. The class related twaddle in addition to the head on stick nonsense pretty well undermines any point the person is trying to make. And as all to often with this kind soapbox ranting it just reidentifies some of the problems in British Archaeology without offering any real solutions. I'll agree with one thing though it does read like an uedited BAJRbaiting post. As somebody once said - 'working class' people are people who work - besides aren't we all middle class now?

Pass the pissing polenta dear.

[BAJR Host]

You misunderstand vulpes....

I don't agree with the letter, but there are valid points which can be addressed. I think things are getting better, I think that we can do something, I think that units are starting to feel the pinch of investigation, etc etc.... however ... letters like that are god at showing what some perceptions are... out in the open they can be examined, then answered.



Another day another WSI?

[mercenary]

I'm struck by how similar the letter is to some BAJR posts that caused the "Great Shutdown". With all due respect hosty you seem to be arguing the other side now. FYI I completely agree with you that rants like that are indicative of problems worth investigating. Just like the now banned posts.

[drpeterwardle]

In fairness to David the great shutdown was due to the fact that David was away and was not able to take a view on things.

Shutting BAJA down was the only sensible option at the time.

Peter

[gumbo]

For what its worth, I think the Digger letter was a bit student-like and probably lacked any kind of impact that the author might have intended. I agree that this sort of thing can make The Digger seem a bit immature and 'champagne socialist'. BUT, and this is a big BUT, in contrast to Beer Beast, I dont think this typifies the general pitch in the Digger. If anything I thought the Digger was going a bit wishy-washy since it changed editor (look at all the qualifications in some of the articles these days such as when a 'certain unit' was struck off the IFA rao list, and Arch Sols was only mentioned in the next paragraph: that was carefully edited stuff). The Letters pages are surely different: they are individual opinions.

People are pointing out historical aspects of things at the moment, so lets consider the Digger newsletter itself: It was at its outset intended to be irreverant, and punk in its attitude. It has always been well informed and always on the side of the exploited. If anything, this has been diluted as it has become more established. If people dont like the picture of US that the Digger portrays they should stop moaning and f*** off and write another newsletter, you might want to call it Current Archaeology or something rosy like that.

Gumbo

[troll]

Disturbing.Tiz a free country (allegedly) and the Digger has a right to say what they like.Not everybodies rants are carefully sculpted, incisive and polite.Some may not feel particularly polite. All are valid offerings.Censorship is unhealthy.Just please-cut out the venom.......
Who really gives a monkies if metaphor is lost on some-read something else.