From: HDespain-AT-aol.com
Date: Thu, 20 Nov 1997 09:55:18 -0500 (EST)
To: bhaskar-AT-jefferson.village.Virginia.EDU
Subject: BHA: Re: Ralph's status


(this is a re-send of the is message, my apologies if it appears twice)


A personal message to Ralph, i have mistakenly sent to the li*st.  i
apologize to everyone about this mistake.
 
Based on a number of opinions and criticisms, there as been a decision made
with respect to Ralph as a mem*ber of the b*haskar-li*st.
 
Namely, he will have "nopost" status as a mem*ber of the li*st.  my intention
is that this action is temporary.  "Nopost" status requires that all Ralph's
posts to the li*st will be "pre-approved" before being forwarded to the
li*st.  Hans Ehrbar will "pre-approve" all Ralph's posts before they are
forwarded to the li*st at large.
 
However, Ralph is expected to govern himself.  If he is unable or unwilling
to do so, it is most likely he will be expelled.  If he decides to take
responsibility for the effect of his words and tone, it is most likely he
will be asked to continue as a "unconstrained" li*st mem*ber.
 
It is my intention that this action is temporary.   The decision has been
made in Ralph's silence.  However, not in spite of his silence, but in part
because of his silence.
 
The decision is a type of compromise to avoid a hasty expulsion of a li*st
mem*ber ... and an attempt to avoid expulsion all together.  This will be
contingent on Ralph's future action and behavior.
 
There have been a number of li*st mem*bers who have offered suggestions.  The
idea and compromise are not entirely mine, however as moderator i take full
responsilbility and realize that it has great potential for "unwanted
consequences", along with other more immediate shortcomings.  The problem is
there is no "good" solution.  i feel Ralph has forced the li*st and
especially myself as moderator to take responsibility, or action against, his
behavior.  This is not a comfortable position, but in fairness to all
mem*bers i accept the position.
 
 The decision is based on the following:
 
 (1) Ralph's messages have intimidated a number mem*bers.  This has been
     expressed both public and privately to myself.  There are too great a
number
     of mem*bers fearful to participate;
 
 (2) Ralph's messages have contained extermely offensive comments; this has
      added to the intimidation of members;
 
 (3) Ralph has ignored personal requests to tone down his offensive language
and 
      comments, which have gone ignored;
 
 (4) Ralph has choosen to remain silent and absent during this discussion;
morover
      while he was ignoring the public discussion of his offensive material,
he posted
      another message with more name-calling.
 
 Also, i resent (as another li*st member expressed to me earlier today) that
Ralph has demanded and taken up so much of the discussion on this li*st.  All
other discusion has tended to drown out.  We should fight to reclaim the
li*st for the discussion of critical realism!
 
 Thus, i suggest that all criticisms of the decision be sent to me
personally.  i realize that a number of people my not have confidence or have
now lost confidence in myself as moderator.  However, if this is the case i
suggest we move any debate of the moderation of the bhaskar-li*st, along with
criticism of the action of the moderator in this specific case to seminar
room at spoons (which will require that i request a such a room from spoons).
 
 All criticisms and suggestions are encouraged and will be accepted, and all
will recieve a response.  Hopefully this can be accomplished off the li*st
space. 
 
 If anyone does feel that something needs to be said in public they *should*
do so.  If your comments can be directed to myself, please send me a personal
e-mail.  i want to emphasize that your criticism is encouraged.
 
 hans despain



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