My thanks to all who participated in the recent "verbal carnage" which occurred
on this board. But then, what are families for?
I agree with Billion that one of the hallmarks of this group is the civility we
ususally show towards one another. It is a pity when someone chooses to
break the unstated rules of behavior on this board.
Which, of course, leads to the question of censorship. Since this is a monitored
board, it is possible to prevent some people from posting and some things from
being said. In my opinion there were statements made in that exchange which
were completely uncalled for - especially sexual inuendos aimed at female
members of this board. This has no place on a board such as this, and in my
opinion, such posts should not be allowed.
The members of this board, however, showed themselves to be sophisticated,
intelligent people in the expressions of their views, able to read between the
lines and get behind the masks that were being projected. While the board
must protect itself from terrorist attacks, to impose too much censorship would
be to diminish the quality of the discussion and leave the board in the same
position as the attacker - trying to impose scientific censorship on it's members.
Such attacks are unpleasant, but sometimes they are the price we pay
for a free interchange of ideas.