From: altheimm@nextnet.csus.edu (Murray Altheim)
Subject: Re: New group details and comments.
Organization: California State University: Sacramento
Date: Fri, 31 Jul 1992 18:43:55 GMT

In article <oT2RoB2w165w@brewich.hou.tx.us> donal@brewich.hou.tx.us (Donal) writes:
>> In article <1992Jul28.045009.6388@wolves.uucp> wolfe@wolves.uucp (G. Wolfe Wo
>> >In article <1438@lysator.liu.se> ceci@lysator.liu.se (Ceci Henningsson) writ
>> >>My suggestion is, that we start a soc.religion.pagan group.
>> I probably am like most others around here -- I don't trust the 
>> invisible people in charge to filter the "correct" material for my eyes,

Donal, I suggest you check the setup on your newsreader.  You have on a
number of occasions attributed posts to the wrong person.  Ceci Henningsson
did not write the above passage, I did.

>Seriously, there are several people here that I would trust to 
>moderate soc.religion.pagan... Paul, Tim, Ailsa, Janis, myself... :)
>Some might balk at Paul or Tim, but I read them as VERY concientious. 
>I do not believe they would ever abuse that power.
>
>Donal, Sysop of The Brewer's Witch BBS -- +1 713 272 7350

This is precisely why I don't trust a moderator.  Because YOU trust a 
moderator, you have assumed that those others of us somehow do, OR that
you can speak and support a moderator FOR us. We are a) those who disagree
with you, and (the majority) b) those who silently read alt.pagan.

Because you post frequently doesn't mean your ideas are more valid or
should carry more weight than those in categories a or b.  Remember that the 
"rest of us" are important.  To deliberately get up front and personal
(read "devil's advocate"), I find your quick assumption of spokesperson for
the net rather presumptuous.  I suspect your ego blinds you to even consider
this.  I don't feel you would be suitable as a moderator. Yet you have put
YOUR name on the list right up there with Paul, Tim, ailsa, Janis, etc.

OK.

From here, you and I can begin a fight over your suitability. Some will side
with you.  Others will side with me.  If you "win" are you right?  If I "win"
am I right?  In either case, a portion of alt.pagan must deal with the
decision even though they disagree with it.

Having no moderator means not having to rely on someone's questionable 
judgement over what gets posted.  In some forums this is acceptable;  IMO
in alt.pagan or its soc equivalent it is not.  As long as this disagreement
persists there will be people like me (yes, there are undoubtably some) who
you must ignore to have your way.

BTW, this is not in any manner meant as disrepect for those names you 
mentioned, nor as a slur on their suitability;  only to point out the 
position you've taken with regard to others on the net.  This also applies
to writing a FAQ.  No matter how well-intentioned, you WILL alienate as
you formulate and attempt to categorize and define.

-- 
Murray M. Altheim      "Ils ont l'orteil de Bouc, & d'un Chevreil l'oreille,
Instructional Consultant    La corne d'un Chamois, & la face vermeille
CSU, Sacramento          Comme un rouge Croissant: & dancent toute nuict
altheimm@csus.edu       Dedans un carrefour, ou pres d'une eau qui bruict."