[Milsurplus] administrative content, please read

[Todd Bigelow - PS]

Hi Ralph -

I appreciate your post and I agree with most of your statements, this is a very
good list indeed. I'm one of the newer users to this list, within the last year
or so. I get a lot more from it than I could ever offer, so I'm just as
interested in seeing it continue on without issue as the next guy is.

One problem I have and I'm hoping you can clarify for me is the presence of
*known* crooks, criminals, whatever you choose to call them. While I agree that
speculation is nothing to base such statements on, if indeed the case is clearly
proven, would such users be removed by you? You mentioned the fear of
litigation, but couldn't it work the same way against you or the lists if perps
are allowed free access and there is no attempt made to remove them?

The 'fear' of litigation is more often used as a tool by those who would exploit
the system as they exploit others. If we live in this constant fear of 'what
if', we basically give up and give in to those who would do us harm and rip us
off. I have to believe that someone who knows they are in the wrong will be very
unlikely to try anything legally, only those falsely accused(and rightly so). To
give them the impression that the fear of litigation might keep them from being
held accountable only serves to make them more bold.

My thought is that most of us have, can, and will continue to communicate the
particulars of certain individual amongst ourselves, but I am hoping that if
someone brings to you clear evidence of bad dealings and dishonesty by a user of
this list, that you would investigate and take the necessary actions. I don't
think there is a legal precedent stating that you are required to give access to
anyone here who wants it, which is what allows you to remove users who don't
follow the rules. This should also be applied to those who are unable to deal
with others honestly.

Just my 2� worth. I enjoy the list, but I do not see myself as being on the same
level or deserving of the same treatment that dishonest users are worthy of.

73 de Todd/'Boomer'  KA1KAQ

Ralph Hogan wrote:
<snip>

> You have to remember this is a public forum with hundreds of subscribers and
> potentially thousands of internet readers.
> You can't legally make public derogatory comments about someone unless
> substantiated with proof and that person charged and found guilty by judge
> and jury. Otherwise it is slander and legal action can be taken against you
> (or me as the list admin for allowing it to continue on the remailer).