Re: List manager comments

Can I just say, that, as the person responsible largely for this bout of
rancour, that it wasn't "disgust with someone else's political views" that
mainly prompted my post. It was more irritation that a perfectly sensible
thread "Get to know a ..." that had been started off by Burgy, that was
about compassion, which is a lot of what being a Christian is about, got
hijacked by an imbecilic comment that someone else has pointed out is
totally devoid of Christian charity. This prompted an irritated reply from
George. Long ago I applied a filter to anything from Janice because I
wasn't interested in trawling through pages and pages of propaganda with no
opinion from Janice herself apart from snappy one-liners interspersed
inbetween them. Unfortunately, I forgot to apply the filter to anything
posted _to_ Janice as well, otherwise I'd not have discovered why the thread
died a death and not found anything to get irritated about.

I am sorry, however, if it ruffled a few feathers. But I stand by my
original request that we try as much as possible to keep political
propaganda, of *whatever* shade of the spectrum, out of this forum.
Expressing one's political views, in a measured way that doesn't involve
name-calling of the other side, is entirely different, and if done in
moderation, is fine, but when it hijacks the rest of the discussion, then
it's time to take a stop and think.

Iain

On 3/24/06, Terry M. Gray <grayt@lamar.colostate.edu> wrote:
>
> 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
>
>
>

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After the game, the King and the pawn go back in the same box.
- Italian Proverb
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