From: jdd@engr.ucf.edu (Joseph Dumas)
Subject: Re: A Word of Explanation
Summary: Sorry to see you go, Anne
Organization: engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando
Date: Mon, 28 Sep 1992 18:02:37 GMT

In article <lcccldINNcdf@news.bbn.com> adolce@bbn.com (Anne Dolce) writes:
>
>   Over the past 5 or 6 months, this newsgroup has received a significant
>   number of postings which I personally have found to be too distasteful
>   to read.  This includes postings which contain (in my opinion) nasty 
>   comments directed at the author of a posting, obscene remarks made about
>   some of the pro players, and a large number of sexually explicit comments 
>   directed at several of the female pro players. 
>

I can't say that all of the articles Anne mentions were offensive to me,
certainly not offensive enough to keep me from reading this group, but I
can certainly see how they might offend some (quite reasonable) people.
It would be nice if people who wish to post off-color articles would
stick to the alt.sex.whatever groups, and flamers would stick to
alt.flame, but in an unmoderated group there is nothing but each
person's own judgement to enforce this, and I am sad to say that that
seems lacking in far too many people on the net (or off it, for that
matter).  And it only takes a few of them to ruin it for a lot of
others.

When I post (and I don't that often, being convinced that one can learn
a lot more by listening than talking), I try to make sure that I abide
by generally accepted standards of civil behavior.  Call it courtesy,
consideration, whatever; when followed by the members of a group like
this it tends to improve the S/N ratio markedly.  Maybe we should try
it....  If you feel like sending messages appealing to other interests
besides the game of tennis itself, why not email them to persons who
have indicated an interest in those type topics, or start a group like
alt.tennis.sexually-explicit (or alt.sex.tennis?), alt.tennis.flame,
etc.  Or surely there are other ways (rot13, etc.) in which, without too
much difficulty, those who enjoy such discussions can pursue them
without rubbing them in the noses of those who aren't interested.

In other words, I'm not against free speech, just in favor of
consideration of others....What do you say?

>   It seems clear from some comments made recently (I peeked) that since 
>   this newsgroup is unmoderated, folks want the freedom to post whatever
>   they want without worrying about whether they are going to offend someone. 
>   There is also the point that a comment which may bother one person may not
>   bother another - so who's to say what should be allowed or not.  I totally
>   agree with these issues - which is why I unsubscribed to the group, rather
>   than try and start another opinion war.
>

Speaking for myself (and I would wager a number of others), Anne, we are
sorry you have decided to leave.  (For those new to the group, Anne was
one of a handful of people who consistently posted good info about the
tournaments, players, and related topics.)  Hope the group cleans itself
up and you decide to return one of these days.

>
>Live long and prosper, Anne
>---------------------------
>
Ditto.

Joe
-- 
--->  Joe is jdd@engr.ucf.edu (Joseph Dumas):  "Cats are snooty and wouldn't
fetch a stick on a bet.  They also scratch.  I dislike cats....  I like dogs
because they forgive easily...and will settle for thirty seconds of care and
attention if that is all you have to spare."  --Lewis Grizzard
Newsgroups: rec.sport.tennis