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From: cosell@bbn.com (Bernie Cosell)
Newsgroups: comp.org.eff.talk
Subject: Re: Caller ID:  Is comp.dcom.telecom biased?
Message-ID: <62454@bbn.BBN.COM>
Date: 1 Feb 91 14:23:33 GMT
References: <15377@milton.u.washington.edu> <1991Jan29.194128.13756@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu>
Sender: news@bbn.com
Lines: 26

tmkk@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu (Scott Coleman) writes:

}Although I certainly don't agree with everything Pat has to say (his
}stance that BB Systems should pay business rates is one I particularly
}agree with), I still think he has the right to an opinion, same as
}everyone else. He has the right to express that opinion.

I know this a matter of style, but I think that (ab)using his
prerogatives as moderator to engage in debate by 'editing' a posting he
doesn't agree with to include his 'rebuttal' is *NOT* a fair go.  If he
has a contribution to make to the thread, he should just post/mail a
separate item in the thread, under his *own* name; giving his personal
biases the look of apparent-authority of being from the 'moderator'
just doesn't seem right to me.  Now, to have [moderator: ....] comments
for simple factual corrections, or perhaps [in the case of the risks
digest/newgroup] to make the occasional (innocent) joke or pun feels
just right.

That is, I guess I'm saying two things: not only should moderators not
abuse their editorial prerogatives to force other peoples items carry
the moderator's opinions, but I don't even think those opinions should
come from the *moderator* at all... when it comes time to express
opinions, I think the moderator should be 'demoted' to being "just
another poster/mailer".

  /Bernie\