On Wed, 21 Sep 2005, steve v wrote:
The use of clique should not be considered a pejorative, and may refer just as much to a "web of trust" as to a "cabal." I dont make any judgements, but rather chose a term which is neutral, and which critics as well as core members of the "cabal" (you and I ;)) may find agreeable.
TINC, true, but WIND (democracy) is also true. Whether one prefers the term "core" or "cabal" is a matter of where one is on the map.
You're right about that: Wikipedia does have a number of cliques in the neutral sense. I posted in haste & confused "clique" & "cabal".
I apologize for my comments to you, Steve, & have restored the chunk of respect I deducted -- for whatever that is worth.
Geoff