Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!bloom-beacon!apple!rutgers!columbia!copper.columbia.edu!simon
From: simon@copper.columbia.edu (Thor Simon)
Newsgroups: news.admin
Subject: Re: posting privileges
Summary: Let it out and then STOP!
Message-ID: <6209@columbia.edu>
Date: 10 Mar 89 20:49:20 GMT
References: <7526@pyr.gatech.EDU>
Sender: news@columbia.edu
Reply-To: simon@copper.UUCP (Thor Simon)
Distribution: usa
Organization: Columbia University Department of Computer Science
Lines: 33

Whoa guys!  Let's think this one over!  We may not agree with each
other on this subject, but we *do* seem to be turning news.admin into
one giant flame.  None of us can force Gus at GATECH to give the
undergrads access;  He can't force us to deny ours, and he probably
can't get our higher-ups to take it away (note that I group myself
with "undergrads" by default - I'm not a "grad").  How 'bout we just
cool it on this.  I suggest a 1-month moratorium on the subject, and
I'm voluntarily shutting up effective now.  But before I go, one more
thing:

In 75626@pyr.gatech.EDU Gus Baird writes:
>Does Simon think that children should be given free speech in the
Senate? In town meetings?
(Sorry if I mangled that line a little. That's the gist of it, right?)

  No.  I don't.  I wasn't elected to the Senate, I can't speak there.
If I'm called to testify to the Senate, I will.  As for town meetings,
of course I understand that until I'm 18, my parents have a certain
measure of control over me.  If they'd let me go, and if the town
rules allowed it, I do, in fact, believe I, or any other 13-year old
should have the right to speak on matters concerning themselves. (Note
that I live in New York and don't know too much about the structure of
town meetings) In fact, in traditional Jewish society, one is
considered a man at 13, with the according rights and privleges.  If
you treat someone as if they were immature, they will probably act
that way. I submit that by cooping up your undergrads, you are
breeding a new batch of net flames when you let them have access.
(yes, I claim the Ultimate Mixed Metaphor prize on that one, guys)

And actually, I submit something else:  I may be 13, I may not have as
much experience as you, and I may be wrong.  I never said I was perfect.
Now I'll shut up, everybody.  I suggest you all sum up your opinions
and do the same.