Shooting the Messenger

I encourage ValleyNet's critics in this matter to develop a set of rules to govern such a public forum, launch their forum, and live by their rules for a few years. Between trolls, commercial interests, and hot-heads any set of rules will be hard-pressed at times. I appreciate Bob Raiselis' efforts to keep listserv policy enforcement/discussion off the list itself. I realize that authority can be abused in the wrong hands, but have yet to hear any complaint that any opinion or viewpoint has been suppressed from this list. Many public forums include a separate list for discussion of list/posting policy and if anyone wishes to initiate such a list, I would be very surprised if Valley Net would refuse to host it.

I simply disagree that ValleyNet has somehow"forfeited all credibility as a discussion host." When Vicky Fish launched this list more than three years ago, there was nothing else like it in town. Before that, the Selectboard squabbled about who could use the town email lists and for what purposes; the factions in town government had their own email lists to reinforce their own views on things; and the Valley News was the Valley News. This list has survived and grown as an open forum without advertising, spam jams, or any serious questions about ValleyNet's role as host until this week. Does ValleyNet, as listserv host, have the capability to ruin it's community listserv's by suppressing viewpoints or blocking submissions? Yup. Any evidence it has or would like to do that?

I hope Norwich Pillory will contemplate whether he/she might be partaking a bit in the "intolerant and intemperate attacks" which -- as Jeff Doyle mentioned a couple weeks back -- might justify Norwich Pillory's feeling the need to post anonymously.

Watt Alexander



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Bob Raiselis says "keep the discussion centered on the town rather than the
town discussion list" even though the town discussion list has become a town
issue. In point of fact, Bob has become a town issue. But we are not allowed
to mention that. And since he is hosting the discussion and can toss anyone
out of the discussion at his own discretion without any permissible public
recourse, we are supposed to keep the discussion focused on a topic that we
are not allowed to mention.

I don't know how the rest of you feel about this but my sentiment is that
valleynet has effectively forfeited all credibility as a discussion host. I
hope also that the various subscribers to the Norwich listserv who have
advocated the ouster, suppression, or silencing of participants in this
forum will contemplate the fruits of their intolerant and intemperate
attacks.

Oh yes, Bob, please feel free to toss me off the list. But I won't promise
not to publish any email you send me, so if it is truly private, please just
keep it to yourself. (There's a double-bind for you in return for the one
you tried to impose on us.)

Your anonymous pal,
Norwich Pillory