At 02:22 PM 8/12/98 -0400, you wrote: >James Devine wrote: > >>If so, my favorite solution should be applied: if anyone thinks that B's >>posts are obnoxious, then just don't answer them. If enough people respond >>it this way, he will eventually go away, in search of others to irritate. > >That's impossible, Jim. When people say stupid, offensive stuff it's pretty >hard to let it pass unremarked. Maybe some people can maintain the >discipline for some period of time, but it's never going to work 100%. And >the presence of one noxious stimulus shapes a conversation, too. I'm not >opposed to having serious conservatives around; it's good for one's mind >and eloquence to have to debate. But there's nothing to be gained from >allowing empty provocateurs to hang around. > It's worked in the past on pen-l, though perhaps pen-listas have lost the sense of common purpose which was the basis for its working. In any event, simply throwing him off the list should be discussed more seriously before its done. in self-satisfied solidarity, Jim Devine [EMAIL PROTECTED] & http://clawww.lmu.edu/Departments/ECON/jdevine.html
