Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!clyde.concordia.ca!uunet!philmtl!ray
From: ray@philmtl.philips.ca (Ray Dunn)
Newsgroups: news.newusers.questions
Subject: Re: What constitutes abuse ...
Message-ID: <922@philmtl.philips.ca>
Date: 22 Dec 89 17:05:49 GMT
References: <7312@ficc.uu.net> <3507@harrier.ukc.ac.uk> <45062@bu-cs.BU.EDU>
Organization: Philips Electronics Ltd. -  St. Laurent  P.Q., Canada
Lines: 26


It's not abuse of the *net* that is really the point at issue here, it is
abuse of someone's sensibilities.

Posting to USENET is much like standing on a soapbox in the middle of a
(very large) public square and shouting at the top of your voice.

If what you say is controversial, you will get some heat.  Indeed it is
always prudent to *expect* some heat and to be prepared for it.

If you are deliberately crude, vulgar, offensive, insulting, aggressive etc.
then be prepared to take what you get.

Anyone who feels the right to behave on the extremities of accepted
behaviour should allow other people that right as well.  This includes
running squealing to a sysadmin!!

Have a merry Christmas, and, by the way, the concept that a statement should
somehow be treated differently because it is labelled a "joke", is about as
sensible as not taking seriously the person assaulting you because he is
laughing while he is doing it.
-- 
Ray Dunn.                    | UUCP: ray@philmt.philips.ca
Philips Electronics Ltd.     |       ..!{uunet|philapd|philabs}!philmtl!ray
600 Dr Frederik Philips Blvd | TEL : (514) 744-8200  Ext : 2347 (Phonemail)
St Laurent. Quebec.  H4M 2S9 | FAX : (514) 744-6455  TLX : 05-824090