Digital BW, The Print

After catching up on the day's posts I have sent out some e-mails to 
people who I felt did not follow the group's guidelines regarding 
personal insults and harassment. A smaller number of members that I 
do not know well will have their messages temporarily monitored 
before they are posted.

I deleted several posts that I felt contained personal attacks, as 
they had no other content whatsoever. Some posts that people found 
offensive are still there since the remarks were not directed at any 
member in particular. I considered taking down the entire "War" 
thread but I really hate to play censor. I have also deleted some 
additional posts to the thread that inadvertently came in after my 
last announcement in an effort to end this off-topic and inflammatory 
discussion.

I all frankness my decisions are judgment calls and I don't expect 
everyone to be happy with them. If you want to discuss my policies or 
actions on list that is fine as it concerns the list.

Amongst all the posts on this thread were some words of reason.

From Austin Franklin:

"The forum is "Digital BW".  That does not entail ANY political 
agenda as far as I know of, and is not why I joined this group.  I am 
sure many others feel the same way."

"… I did not find any of the "War Preparation (Stay in Touch) 
messages at all out of place, and thought they were rather kind..."

"...most people are here NOT to discuss politics, but to get away 
from that very subject."

From Tim Spragens:

"Please stop this before this list shreds itself. I'm sure everyone 
on this list could find at least one person that they'd offend if 
this topic is pursued."

Tim is dead right. You don't have to do much reading betweens the 
lines on this list to realize that is an international group, with a 
wide range of political backgrounds, religious views, etc. What we 
have in common is a love of B&W photography and the use of digital 
tools to make a print.

I think that we have a very good group here with a nice sense of 
community and mutual support. I hope to see it continue. I hope that 
our mutual love of this art form will be a bridge across some of 
those differences. The current political situation has many sides and 
as the situation evolves the politics will become very polarized. It 
is a serious matter worthy of discussion. But not here. There is 
nothing to be gained and we stand to lose what we have built here in 
this short time.

If you want to express concern or offer comfort, by all means but 
please write carefully. If you want to condemn, I am going to have to 
insist that you do it elsewhere.

Thank you,

Martin Wesley