If I might may I make a suggestion. Detailed political messages on this list, or any other devoted to music (or woodworking, or whatever) are not only inappropriate but also clutter the mail. But everytime this comes up someone objects that they are losing their "freedom of expression". This is an international forum, and some may want to express views on topics of current interest among those they speak with from differing backgrounds.
How about each time you get tempted to write "off topic" you just send a brief message to the list saying "I think xxxx about xxxx, anyone who wants to discuss it please email me directly". A compromise, we'll never avoid the off topic messages - better to control them by guiding them off list. Best, Jon To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
