Julie Hofmann Kemp wrote:

Re teaching the unteachable -- We'd all love to, but there are some users, Fr. Jonat being one, who don't want to learn. They want to say what they want to say, and facts as the rest of us know them don't come into it. I personally think Helga's a special case -- She really does care about making this a good site; she really believes her articles are legitimate; she really believes that there is a conspiracy to hide the truth; and her own personal losses color all of her political insights and contributions. It doesn't help that she's also willfully pig ignorant of how to critically read any historical source, primary or secondary, IM very fed up with her O; however, she isn't a vandal in the true sense of the word, and usually is only borderline troll-like. I certainly can't in good conscience support banning her, but neither do I believe she will ever change -- there is no rule against crap contributions -- just tons of irritation. The only sure thing is that she will eventually ride her hobby horse elsewhere after accusing us of twisting the TRUTH, and a couple of months from now, quietly return to make changes until someone notices.

On the bright side, I've found that almost all newbies respond favorably to hints and direction to NPOV policy, how to make articles better, etc., so I don't think it's an issue. Lets keep in mind that, by and large, the people here actually do want to cooperate and produce good work -- it's just that lots of that happens without being noticed!!

Jules

I must commend the sensitivity that you show toward another contributor's "pig ignorance" in the face of what is clearly a frustrating experience. You seem to recognize that misguided ideas often come as sincerely from the heart. Your students are indeed fortunate if their essays and term papers receive the level of analysis that you provided for HJ's Copernicus article.. Too many of our colleagues are over-hasty with heavy-handed tactics.

Eclecticology