Re: [ga] Kent's post illustrates Ellen's point

[Bob Davis <bob.davis@netzero.net>]

Eric and all DNSO'ers

  Eric, I agree with you.  I am sure that is no surprise.  The concern or
problem I have is that it is obvious that Kent has on many occasions
not practiced what he preaches.  It is fairly obvious and plain to me
anyway that Harald, Roberto, Kent, and more importantly and
specifically, William Walsh have or has been somewhat prejudice
towards Jeff Williams and Joe Baptista in predominantly.  So
I must say that indeed to a degree, Kents post does indeed
illistrate Ellen's point.

  Very recently, just today this predjudice has been turned towards
myself and James Touton.  So the rift is widening and the power
mongering and misuse is growing, which many of us feared....

Weisberg wrote:

> While I had hoped we would work out the voting procedure before addressing
> the merits of specific proposals for rules, I must take advantage of a recent
> exchange to illustrate my own strongly held views on a particular matter.
>
> Please understand that I do NOT intend ANY criticism of Kent's post by the
> following reference, but merely use it to demonstrate the problem inherent in
> subjective criteria for sanctioning speech on a public list.
>
> On January 18th, Ellen Rony wrote regarding what were to become the interim
> rules:
>
>      Third, the Rights to Post are subjective as to content, cumbersome
>      and
>      vague;  they place sole discretion in the hands of a Sergeants at
>      Arms, who
>      may a) unilaterally impose posting limits; b) determine what
>      constitutes
>      decorum and relevant business of the GA, and c) moderate content.
>      These
>      rights do not describe an "open forum".
>
> On February 7th, the List Monitor took the following action:
>
>      The list rules say that:
>
>      - The messages must be relevant to the business of the GA
>      - The messages must observe a minimum of decorum, including:
>         - Not indulging in personal attacks, insults or slander
>         - Not using offensive language
>
>      This message does not observe a minimum of decorum, is a personal
>      attack,
>      and uses offensive language.
>
>      Therefore, I declare that the person known to the list as "Jeff
>      Williams
>      <jwkckid1@ix.netcom.com>" has had his posting privillege to the GA
>      list
>      revoked for 2 weeks, starting today, February 7, 2000, and lasting
>      until
>      not later than Monday, February 21, 2000, 12:00 GMT.
>
>      ...
>
>                                 Harald T. Alvestrand
>                                     List monitor
>
>      ------------ The main text of the offending message -----------
>
>      >Unfortunately, and sadly I am sure the Roberto, Harald, Kent, and
>      >William Walsh "The Four Horse-Shitters" are glad to see them
>      >go. The major interest of Roberto and Harald especially is new
>      >members (Sheep) to fertilize with their Horse Shit...
>
> On February 11th, Kent Crispin wrote:
>
> > If a substantial percentage of the subscribers had sent email supporting
> > your position, things would be different.  But they didn't.  We got down
> > to a grim, mostly silent majority waiting for the grandstanding martyrs
> > to finish their speeches.  Some people will fight to the death for their
> > right to urinate on the barroom floor...
> >
>
> Sanctioning the form of speech (i.e. how people choose to express their
> points) is a slippery slope with no easy landing.  It is very difficult to
> explain why Mr. Williams post required sanction while Mr. Crispin's did not.
> I oppose sanctions for either.  Subjective evaluation of style is unnecessary
> and has a chilling effect.  And, I would not embroil this list in endless
> arguments regarding which side of what lines particular posts fall.
>
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Bob Davis
INEGRoup-West Director

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