A Policeman's Lot is not a happy one

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

 

I am sorry to see Pete Thiessen expelled.

 

However, I agree with Mark's decision. List Moderators, like police, must

maintain order and, to quote Gilbert and Sullivan (Ref: " Pirates of

Penzance " ), " A policeman's lot is not a happy one " . To be more PC, for

" man's " I should have written " person's " !

 

My comments on the expulsion of a colleague are:

 

1. The aim of most (?all) Professional Lists is to foster honest and open

discussion between colleagues on topics relevant to the List Topic.

 

2. Many Lists have members whose first language is not that of the majority.

Therefore, communication problems due to language differences may arise.

 

If in doubt, readers can ask the sender of an unclear message to explain

further.

 

3. Lists cannot prosper optimally if members feel attacked, insulted or

marginalised. Therefore, to maintain harmony, most (all?) Lists have a firm

policy on " flaming " . Persistent offenders MUST be expelled (temporarily or

permanently) to maintain harmony.

 

[i disagree that the " Delete Message " option is a good way to handle

flaming; IMO, flaming is not acceptable behavior. Full stop ...]

 

4. Expulsion of a colleague is an unpleasant task for a Moderator. Before

expulsion of a flaming colleague, most Moderators warn him/her once or

twice OFFLIST. If the offence persists, a final public warning is issued. This

warning is sent to the List, with a copy to the mail address of the offender.

 

If he/she flames again, expulsion follows without further warning.

 

As a Moderator of several lists, I expelled two colleagues from " my " Lists in

the past. I hated to do it because they were talented colleagues with much to

offer.

 

I did it, however, because they would not behave in an acceptable way as

regards flaming. My Dx was uncontrolled LV Fire Rising / LV Qi Stag.

 

Best regards,