Path: utzoo!attcan!telly!problem!compus!lethe!torsqnt!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!wuarchive!uwm.edu!linac!midway!gargoyle!learn
From: learn@gargoyle.uchicago.edu (William  Vajk )
Newsgroups: comp.org.eff.talk
Subject: Re: What is a moderator?
Message-ID: <1299@gargoyle.uchicago.edu>
Date: 19 Feb 91 04:28:59 GMT
References: <7618@crash.cts.com>
Organization: My Own Department, What else ?
Lines: 35

In article <7618@crash.cts.com> Steve Jackson writes:

>        The net may now have lost a service which was valuable to many.

Actually, the service is pretty much available for the asking, simply
via mail instead of a "newsgroup."

>Speech is free, but only for the politically correct, eh?

Actually, speech is free, but so is some semblence of responsibility
for the things one says and supports. Patrick's rights haven't been
called into question here. But anyone can be called to account for the
things they say, and regularly are. Good, bad, or indifferent, this is
the nature of the beast we call usenet.

I am unconcerned about Patrick's response to the confrontation. He has a
right to do exactly as he pleases. My personal opinion has not been altered 
one bit concerning anyone involved in the microflamefest. In short, a few 
pushed Patrick's buttons, and on cue, he exploded. 

Of course, there were other explosions before Patrick became moderator of the 
Usenet group(s). One had to do with a system attempting to expand BBSing in
the public library sphere, and another with FIDO management in some form or 
another. Those of us to whom the regional bbs scene has been near and dear 
as a source of information and data for some time have had the pleasure 
of witnessing Patrick's wrath before.

In short, new business for some of you is simply a continuation of old
business for others of us.

This is not to say that when given his head, he doesn't do an excellent job.
But still, there is always room for criticism just as there is always room
for improvement.....for all of us.

Bill Vajk