Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2001 12:10:23 -0700
Reply-To: Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
Subject: Re: filtering out off-color jokes, rants, etc - sort of long
Chris,
You are at least 98.2% right. This is a family oriented list with members
from all walks of life. I often speak of this list as family. I mentally
picture us as continually sitting down to a monstrous family dinner, talking
about our problems, hopes, dreams, and telling each other of our latest
adventures. I would no more deliberately offend anyone on this list than I
would a member of my real family at the dinner table.
I know, however, that I have offended a few folks on this list by making
comments that I either should not have at all, or at least I should have
worded differently. I believe I have been put in the position of needing to
apologize to a few members four or five times since joining a couple years
ago.
To accept dirty, mean-spirited, racist, and/or sexist comments/humor as the
norm on this list would irreperably harm the nature and character of this
group. Although some would welcome this, we would eventually lose a great
number of our members who do not wish to wade through a sea of scum to get
to the occasional pearl of meaningful dialogue.
There have been, over the last year or two, several attempts to set up
alternative Vanagon groups so that dirty and racist and sexist comments
could be interspersed with Vanagon germane comments/questions. I have
signed on to all of them, mostly to monitor them (and, of course to learn a
few new jokes). None of them seem to exist anymore. As Chris pointed out,
you can pick up on the latest humor at many sites around the 'net.
I currently do filter out quite a few words with Outlook Express' filters,
but mostly to avoid junk mail. I am not a prude, and actually very much
enjoy the occasional off-color comment. The problem is that the
noise/signal ration would change considerably if such posts were to be
considered as "acceptable" postings.
I am constantly amazed that Tom can strike such a balance that we are
allowed to make the off-topic posts that we do without letting the entire
situation get out of hand. He's doing a helluva job with a "hands-off"
management style and deserves far more credit than he usually receives.
I say 98.2% only because I'm not one of those who say that every post should
only be Vanagon relevant. We do occasionally swing far afield, and though
that equals a "waste of bandwidth" to some, I feel it does add spice to the
"meal" we are currently enjoying together.
Did you all hear the one about the Polack, the Lesbian, the Redneck and the
Atheist going camping in a Vanagon (RVC)? Seems that the Lesbian had a gun,
and . . . . oh, never mind.
Love ya all,
Karl Wolz
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