>>We are working to devise a new system that will serve as the UT's 'OffRamp'- where we can send messages or threads when they have become questionable. I think that this will address most of the concerns, because then members can have a publicly stated policy that they don't participate in threads in this section.
>
>I think this is a poor solution. Some thoughts should remain thoughts and shouldn't be publicly expressed. Personal attacks don't belong anywhere in a place like the UT, and an "off ramp" section just gives people license to be rude.
>
>I know that after the threads of the last week, I will not be able to look at some people the same way again, regardless of what they have to offer technically. I think an "anything goes" section offers people an opportunity to send without thinking and self-censoring (please, everyone, note the word "self" in there). I think community standards are a good thing.
>
>The distinction I'm trying to draw here is between a good, clean fight and nasty, personal attacks. The first is fine and doesn't need a separate. The second should never be welcome anywhere.
>
>Tamar

Tamar, I wholeheartedly agree. But I have not yet seen a a rule or set of rules that can successfully take the ambiguity out of the process, and until such a set of rules is defined, a policy like this will come under fire by those who feel they were unfairly censored.

For example- I personally feel that in the sum of messages aimed at you recently, you were unfairly attacked. But if you ask me exactly which message crossed the line between debate and attack, I am not sure I could pinpoint it. Most of the questionable threads here suffer from the same wide grey area, and most the Sysops feel uncomfortable freezing or removing a thread or account if they can't be sure that the other Sysops agree.

I hate to see any part of the UT turn into the kind of mess that OR is daily. Regulars over there actually _pride_ themselves on insults and vulgar language, which is fine for that board, because contributors knew the rules from the beginning.