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Tony puts it very well, I think. I have
learned so much from this list, in all kinds of unexpected ways, and I don't
want to shut any doors to new knowledge or understanding.
Yes, let's make sure the
subject field reflects the content of the post - something that would
help the 'on-topic' posts stay accurate, too, as debate moves the content
on from the subject of the original enquiry - and let off-topic posts remain,
clearly marked as such. My personal e-list irritant isn't politics, but
one-liners saying 'right on' or equivalent - the ones that don't add anything to
the discussion. This list doesn't seem to do that very much, fortunately!
May a thousand flowers bloom this
season
Hilary
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, April 27, 2002 5:26
AM
Subject: OFF - Re: Political posts
Might I add my tuppence worth? Jane seems
to be the person most complained against but I, likle numerous previous
posters, have greatly appreciated her contributions. I was a minor
offender in posting some comments in favour of Palestinians rather than
Israelis. BDNow! comprises a group of liberal, like-minded and humane
people whose advice and opinions on practical spirituality, particularly as
related to agriculture and horticulture, is very valuable - but I also value
your opinions on broader matters, even when I totally disagree with
them. The majority US membership helps to counter both official
sources of US news or opinion and the far-right survivalist 'mountain
men' who provide the only alternative opinions given in our normal news
media. I certainly have no group of friends with whom this sort of
discussion, face to face, could possibly compete, and I know of no other
comparable e-mail forum (can any of the critics suggest one?).
After Stephen complained of the cost of receiving
political messages, whether or not he instantly deleted them, I made a few
sample timings and found that a BDNow message takes an average of just under
one second to arrive on my screen; I am connected by a normal UK
telephone line, not a specialist broadband one. This costs me peanuts -
am I just lucky in this?
I've marked this OFF, to suit anyone who is
filtering all but mainstream messages. Maybe we should at least take
note of Allan's occasional requests and use OFF wherever appropriate, also
changing the subject field as the nature of the thread changes?
Tony N-S.
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