At 12:29 1999/08/06 +0800, you wrote:
>To: Janet and  Barbara
>cc: the list
>Janet wrote, on behalf of herself and Barbara
>
>> if any member of this list
>> attacks, harasses or 'flames' another member of this list
>> please be assured that the attacker will be summarily booted off the list
>> and the internet service provider serving the offending list member
>> will be informed of their offensive behaviour
>
>Whilst I'm agree with what you are saying in principle, I am extremely
>concerned at how this will work in practice.  As written you appear to
>be saying that anyone deemed to be guilty of the offences listed above
>will be removed from the list, at your sole discretion and no questions
>asked, on their first offence...

i agree that as written
it is quite strongly worded
and probably needs to be mellowed and clarified just a little

we had quite a heated reaction to the repeat offense
by a non-member [!] from afar [!] after two years [!]
and that reaction may have spilled over
just a tad bit

as a start and off the top of this weary head
i would add 'persists in'
and
i would remove 'summarily'
thus
resulting in:

>> if any member of this list persists in
>> attacking, harassing or 'flaming' another member of this list
>> please be assured that the attacker will be booted off the list

also:
personal attack = clearly unwelcome and uninvited

also:
as a first response to such an attack made by private e-mail
i would hope that public posting of same would be a deterrent
by removing the 'secrecy' aspect

a second response??

a third??

my instinct suggests "three strikes and you're out"

it's not something we've had to think about too much
and i wish we didn't have to think about it at all

>Therefore -
>I hereby formally request that Janet and Barbara reconsider their position
>in the light of the following comments:
>There is a world of difference between saying - "Dear so-'n-so please cut
>back on your postings about bats (cats, dogs, guinea pigs) because they are
>driving me batty" - and "Dear so-'n-so I think you are an idiot for posting
>so many messages about bats (etc) so stop doing it."  The first is a simple,
>and in my view legitimate request.  The second is definitely attacking and
>the attacker should be warned that they are jeopardising their membership of
>the list if they persist.  People who make a habit of such postings should
>then be booted.   Summary booting off at the time of a first offence should
>surely be reserved for attacks of a serious nature."

request duly received, noted, and minuted for consideration
aka
yup! yup! yup!

>Janet - you and I enjoyed some quite heated exchanges of view when we first
>met on this list. We expressed some strongly worded views on each others
>arguments and occasionally both of us (wrongly) strayed across the mark into
>personal comment  The contributions we have subsequently made to this list
>were shaped in part by those exchanges, yet if Barbara had applied the
>criteria you are now apparently applying neither of us would be here today.

i don't recall ever describing you as batty
maybe your arguments, but never you, dennis!

>Janet - I know you love this list - but I truly believe that if you don't
>build some flexibility into your current stand you will change it beyond
>recognition.  I can't believe that is your intent.

you are right on all counts
and i appreciate your time and your concern

hey
do you want to volunteer to write
our upcoming Mission Statement and Manifesto?
not to mention the Code of Ethics and also our Acceptable Use Policy
and oh yes i forgot about the Medical Disclaimer and yikes the
Ninety-Day-All-Parts-And-Labour-Satisfaction-Guarantee
and last but definitely not least the all encompassing
Your-Money-Cheerfully-Refunded-If-Not-Completely-Satisfied

as a trade, i offer my editing services in re your signature:

>There's nothing wrong with me!

thanks dg

jp
mist lom
in the misty early morning

janet paterson
52 now / 41 dx / 37 onset
snail-mail: PO Box 171  Almonte  Ontario  K0A 1A0  Canada
website: a new voice <http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Village/6263/>
e-mail: <[log in to unmask]>