Re: is it censorship?

[Litgo@aol.com]

Please keep it on-topic for the list.  The volume of legitimate
material is high enough without having to wade through off-topic
posts.

If you are replying to the author of a message, consider whether or
not your reply is relevant to the whole list.  If not, just reply to
the author only and not to the entire list.  In particular, short
posts like "me too" and "thanks" are best sent to an individual and
not the entire list membership.

Your cooperation will make the list better for all of us.

If you don't like recieving such reminders, then simply keep the
material on-topic for the list, and you will never see another one.

In a message dated 96-05-20 13:50:53 EDT, rthomson@ptc.com (Rich Thomson)
writes:

>I find it funny that all these people are claiming that I'm
>"censoring" them, when in fact all I'm asking them to do is kindly
>respect the charter of the list.  The bottom line is this:
>
>Is this a mailing list for discussing the who, or is it a chat list
>free-for-all?  
>
>From the list of lists, (dated 4/25/96) the purpose of this list is
>stated as:
>
>    Purpose: An unmoderated mailing list for discussion of the band
>	The Who, its individual members, lyrics, etc.
>
>Seems pretty straightforward and simple to me, yet when some people
>can't control themselves and insist on posting everything and anything
>and are asked to please keep themselves directed towards the purpose
>of this list, suddenly they cry "censor!".  Obviously I am not a
>censor since your off-topic articles continue to flood over the list
>membership.
>
>I always find it somewhat strange that people who continue to violate
>the purpose of the list always blame me when I ask them to respect the
>list's charter.  Unfortunately it is currently prevalent in American
>society to avoid personal responsibility.
>
>Noone is taking away your freedom, noone is prohibiting you from
>saying whatever you like.  However, I am asking you (and it has always
>been a request, never a demand, never a threat, nothing more than a
>request) to please keep it on topic for the list.
>
>When you post a message, you must accept responsibility for the
>consequences of that message.  I will continue to request that people
>keep their messages on-topic; I will continue to make such requests in
>private e-mail only -- I see no point in discussing this ad-nauseum to
>the list in general, but I am open to intelligent discussion by e-mail
>if you so wish.
>
>Basically, I think its pretty clear though.
>
>1. This list's charter says it is for discussion of the who
>2. I'm asking that you respect the charter
>3. I can't censor you, nor would I attempt to censor anyone.  Anyone
>    who thinks I am pro-censorship or anti-1st amendment hasn't taken the
>    time to ask me about it.
>4. You are responsible for what you post.
>
>Now lets get back to discussing my favorite band...
>--
>         Between stimulus and response is the will to choose.
>  -----------------------------------------------------------------
>  3D Paint Programmer / Fractal Freak           Rich Thomson
>  Parametric Technology Corporation             rthomson@ptc.com
>-