If you take a strict interpretation of the rules, most, if not all, get violated on a fairly regular basis. Therefore, I find that most of the "rules" are worthless. What is of value are the guidelines for posting a message. Anything above that, I have to rely on the fact that we are all adults, capable of policing ourselves. There is simply no room for thought police here. Anybody who attempts to construct and enforce rules with respect to what is and is not appropriate has everything to lose and nothing to gain...

I would bet the ranch and the dog that if rules regarding what is/is not appropriate content were abolished, the climate here would not change at all. Dedicated forum membership have good and effective ways of policing their own.








>Hi John,
>
>>The chatter section is just that, the water cooler... If you don't like the content of a message, ignore it. If you don't feel it is appropriate, ignore it.
>
>PFMJI2, *s*
>
>First off John, I just wanted to say that I have seen your stance against censorship in the past, and I feel the same way you do about it.
>
>That said, I have to agree there is a quandary here, If the Chatter section is a water cooler where any topic can be discussed, then why have rules of posting at all? Yet the UT does have such rules, and to my knowledge their's nothing like "All posting rules are suspended in the Chatter section."
>
>Since there is an obvious contradiction here...
>
>* Anything can be said in chatter
>vs.
>* Certain topics are inappropriate on the UT
>
>
>...I would like your opinion, what would be your suggestion for resolving this conflict?
>
>>Just don't interfere with my rights to evaluate the merits of a post for myself.
>
>I am assuming by this, you would move for removal of the second bulleted item. Oh, and I wondering what rights you are referring to in this last statement?
>
>Best,
>Bill