>Shunning is better than cutting someone out of the list, but it takes a >high degree of agreement and self-discipline among listers. > >I sometimes despair at the little room that is often allowed for (what I >think are) ideas worth hearing, or if not worth hearing, at least better >heard than held secretly. However, Karl's comments were sexist in a way >that I don't think most of us would tolerate in a face-to-face >conversation, or at any public event we had any responsibility for. > >I say thank you Michael P. for kicking him out. This is not censorship. It >is our right to a democratic atmosphere for discussions, and that requires >prompt action against the kind of blatant and aggressive sexism I read in >Karl's first couple of messages (I am assuming the rest were more of the >same, because I didn't read through them). > >------------------------------------------------------------ >Bill Burgess ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) Most folks who've expressed opinions have supported Michael's decision to kick Karl off the list. I think Bill above has articulated something like my thoughts: PEN-L is a commons regime and it may sometimes require defense against those who would despoil it. Michael: I think you do a great job of keeping PEN-L healthy. In my opinion it has just about the highest signal to noise ratio of any email list I'm aware of, even though I have disagreements about all sorts of things with many people on the list and can't always read everything I want for lack of time. Thanks! _________________________________________________ Blair Sandler [EMAIL PROTECTED] "They say that it's never too late, but you know you don't get any younger. Well I better learn how to starve the emptiness and feed the hunger. -- Indigo Girls _________________________________________________