Vicky writes: > Arbitrarily expelling Jim Graham is my last straw.
Just so members know, expulsions aren't arbitrary. The circumstances have been discussed with several members Jim e-mailed offlist - including Vicky. Bus so members are aware... The violation in this case involves insulting another member. As I've said many times before (and in many decorum reminders), list rules require non-insulting and non-inflammatory dialogue. Everyone runs afoul of this once in a while (including me). That's why - even though list rules allow me to expel members after one warning - I almost never do. In fact, I usually don't after the TENTH warning. We all slip up. Why? Because I don't want to expel anyone. We're all contributing to the community, and I resist denying anyone the right to participate here. I have expelled fewer than a dozen people in five-plus years. Expelled members can return - and often do, after their suspensions have ended. Occasionally - despite my best efforts to work OFF LIST with members to curb insult and inflammatory dialogue While they remain members - it doesn't work, and they in essence disregard the rules. At that point, I have to act. I sincerely believe one reason this list has survived for more than five years is that we have mild restraints on the rhetoric that other forums drown in. As I have said before, this is not based on content. I value diverse opinions. When I scan a post for violations, I almost never look at whose ox is being gored, but the kind of adjectives someone is throwing at another member or elsewhere. Usually, it's not what you say, but how you say it. Also, expulsions are no fun for me. They are not something I seek to do. It means several days of angry e-mails to me that include attacks on my integrity. It's miserable for me and my family (since I become temporarily preoccupied with making sure I have done the right thing). I do take the time to discuss the situation with all who are interested, and that takes time. I know many members sincerely believe there should be no restraints on insults or inflammatory rhetoric. I respect that, especially when government plays judge. However, this forum has been set up from Day One with certain limits, for the expressed purpose of fostering respectful disagreement. I am also responsible to the overwhelming majority of members who play by the rules and DON'T like the overheated rhetoric, either. Feel free to email me off list if you need to know more. Jim's email is [EMAIL PROTECTED] if you want to hear his take. Please don't continue this online - that swamps the list with debates about the list, which is not why most people joined (plus it violates the rules). Thanks, David Brauer List manager REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
