Being censored

[Oliver Xymoron]

On Tue, Nov 05, 2002 at 10:21:56AM -0500, MalignD at aol.com wrote:
> I've now had two posts withheld from the list, both complaining
> about Millison's introducing his insufferable political rant into
> the SLSL discussion. One called him an "asshole" for doing so. The
> second merely stated that I found his doing so objectionable. I also
> said that I thought the list owners "squeamish prigs" (for caving
> into Millison's hysteria in the first place). If the words
> "squeamish prigs" make one squeamish, then I'd say the shoe fits.

I'm filtering two things, folks: personal attacks and (most of) the
meta-discussion on moderation. Two more points for the record: that
should be prig singular (Murthy's been out of town), and the decision
to moderate the list was brought on not so much by the flaming or
threats (perceived or otherwise) but by certain people turning the
flames on the list owners' requests for civility. Sorry, but I have no
patience for that.

Contrary to the popular belief of the unwashed masses of America
online, practically no space on the internet is a commons, nor have
you paid your admission. And though this list has up until now been
run in a maximally laissez faire manner (Hardin might say tragically),
it should not be mistaken for a commons either. And there are indeed
unwritten rules here, eg "the party's over when you piss on the rug or
start breaking the furniture."

-- 
 "Love the dolphins," she advised him. "Write by W.A.S.T.E.."