--- In AN1x-list@y..., "Thomas" <tomfinegan@y...> wrote:
> FYI: as my function as a co-moderator i deleted (including my own)
> posts about the topic "racism and xenophobia" and "I can´t believe".
>
> This happened in the interest of all list members, who rather want to
> read about AN1x and discuss political topics some place else.
>
> I do apologize to those who i might offend with this.
I only wish we had discussed this prior to your deleting items from the
archive. IMO, this amounts to censorship - no matter how well intended.
You can't pretend nothing happened 'in the interest of the list
members'. I hadn't even read the threads(?) in questions(?!) and it now
seems I'll no longer have the choice. Very disappointing.
If we are ever to learn anything about oursleves and how we relate to
events that transpire within the world it's best to allow people their
say. Keeping silent accomplishes nothing :-(
>
> I did this to keep the peace on the list and don´t raise any further
> arguments about things single person (you know who you are) posted
> without thinking.
I assume someone posted something 'inappropriate' regarding current
events? Well, guess what - there are probably others out there who
silently ∗agreed∗ with the 1st opinion only now you won't have
opportunity to find who they are and why they feel this way?!
>
> Thank you and may God bless you.
>
If someone is 'mature' enough to express their opinion in a public
forum then they'd better be prepared to handle the consequences - good
or bad. This mailing list, and others like it, stand or fall on our
ability to function as a community. If the membership is going to react
strongly to an inflammatory post - that's understandable - possibly
justified, maybe not - but lets at least allow people the privilege of
taking responsibilty for their actions and formulating their own
opinions. And let's not underestimate the emotional and intellectual
capacity of the list membership.
Given the state of current events it seems inevetiable that
controversary is around the corner. I hope we can address those events
in a mature and responsible manner.
regards,
Jon Levinson
American. World Citizen.