List manager comments

List,

Before we descend into more rancor, I'd like first of all to remind
everyone to stay on topic (faith-science).

Let's do keep in mind that expressing one's disgust with someone
else's political views as they may leak out from time to time is as
off-topic and inappropriate as the initial leak. I'm not going to
tell Janice that she can't be a conservative and a Christian and have
strong opinions about various of the things that come up on this
list. I will echo Ted's comments and encourage Janice (and all) to
listen, reflect, learn, engage, etc. things that I'm sure she values
as much as the rest of us. Who knows, somebody might learn something
from Janice (or something she points us to). Most of us in the ASA
believe in the wholistic character of our knowledge and it's not that
easy to compartmentalize stuff. So while we do encourage our group to
have limited scope (faith-science) we all know that both of those
areas of our thinking impinge on the rest of our thinking.

Putting filters on any member of the list is certainly each person's
personal prerogative--I'm not sure it's necessary to tell everyone--
not really sure how that contributes to Christian discussion. Also, I
would urge each of us, as much as our conscience will allow, to leave
comments that we find offensive unanswered. (A soft answer turns away
wrath!) Perhaps when you read something (especially a quippy comment)
that annoys you, just delete it before you have a chance to respond
to. If you must respond to quippy comments--try to respond off-list.
Short abrasive responses count as one of your four posts per day and
keep us from hearing useful ideas from your more thoughtful side.
Other Proverbs come to mind here as well. As is evident from this
very exchange, our accusations turn into defensive responses and
counter accusations. It brings to the surface some of our best behavior!

Finally, while in general I like the self-policing nature of the
group here, I think if you have strong concerns about what's going on
the list, please bring them to me. If you don't get satisfaction
from me, complain to me again and I'll take it to Randy and other of
the ASA big-wigs. There have been cases when we decide that folks
can't behave appropriately and we limit their participation. In the
past those decisions have been the ones appealed to the executive
director.

TG
List manager

________________
Terry M. Gray, Ph.D.
Computer Support Scientist
Chemistry Department
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523
(o) 970-491-7003 (f) 970-491-1801
Received on Thu Mar 23 21:26:49 2006