<html> <body> Andre, David, Sarah, Y'all- First, I think that the acceptance and use of the OT designation has been remarkably successful...(exceptin' for the Porsche thread)... almost as much so as the success of municipalities in convincing their citizenry, whether peasant or royalty, to pick up after their pets.  It allows me, in my manual archiving, to simply channel non-technical posts to their own location, where I can look at them if I so choose, without distracting me when I'm reviewing the technical posts.  This list has long had what could rightly be called a "DON'T ASK! DON'T TELL" policy.  That is, we have elected to acknowledge only enough of each other to allow a singular conversation.. about pianos.  In theory, it wouldn't matter if a contributor has perpetrated some outrageous act, or holds repugnant beliefs.  If their contributions to the list conform to our expectations of content and form, then they have fulfilled the primary list requirements.  So, what deep need is being fulfilled by the periodic venture "OFF TOPIC" ?<x-tab>    </x-tab> It's natural for an active mind to make associations, and sometimes it helps to relieve the tension engendered by having to monitor and filter what one says to those who have become a kind of community.  But, is there a difference between an "OT" which is simply observational, and one which is intended or can be expected to be controversial or inflammatory?  In fact, I think we feel the periodic need to remind ourselves that the world we have created with this list is not real, and that there IS a difference between a cyber community and, dare I say, a real" one.   In the latter, we cannot easily choose to ignore those qualities that challenge our own values.  While we share common endeavors and interests, we reflect a tremendous range of experience, opinion, and convictions and we may not wish to or be able to acknowledge the validity of an opposing view.  What do you suppose the effect on the list would be, of our knowing the political, religious, sexual, or other preferences of each of the contributors?  Would it, in some subtle (or not) way, affect the way we interact with each other?  This is, for the most part, a comfortably or uncomfortably amoral environment, depending on your point of view. We might choose (theoretically) to have yet another, separate place (list) expressly for those sorts of exchanges... one which, like ptg-l, would have controlled access.  If a few people want to have such a dialog, they would retire to that list, whose contents would not be archived with the regular list, a concern I find reasonable. However if, in fact, the motivation is to "witness" ones beliefs in as broad a public as possible, or to change the beliefs of others, such a separate list would probably prove inadequate.  In that case, the only hope would be the conscious commitment to respect the principles by which this list has thrived. And then, of course, in these times of Homeland Security, there's those paranoid types amoung(st?)  us (why do you think I'm talking about you?) who suspect that any statement of conviction might be read and noted by invasive authorities. HOW ABOUT IT ANDY?  A FIGHT LIST? Rambling pomposity at its best - David Skolnik - At 11:49 AM 2/14/2004 -0500, you wrote: <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite>Andr= e, David, et al.,   'Nuff said, then.  My sincere apologies for being OT.  I've tried keeping OT stuff to < 10%, on the whole, over time.  I hope I've been successful in that regard.  I make no apologies for having political opinions, though -- or for my opinions being what they are.   Peace, Sarah <dl> <dd>----- Original Message ----- <dd>From: <a href="mailto:antares@euronet.nl">antares</a> <dd>To: <a href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">Pianotech</a> <dd>Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2004 11:44 AM <dd>Subject: Re: Yeah!!! Political Questions ( very OT - feel free to delete ) <dd>I think one of the first reasons why, normally speaking, religion and politics and non related piano issues are not discussed on this list, is because this is called a pianotech list. <dd>In the past we have had fierce yelling, fist fights and flamings because someone thought otherwise. <dd>Secondly, quarrels over piano related stuff is one thing, but when religion and politics are allowed, this list will probably be blow itself up very soon. <dd>I am ready to try new things, but in this case I don't think it will succeed. <dd>my 2 euro's <dd>friendly greetings <dd>from <dd>André Oorebeek <dd>Amsterdam - <dd>The Netherlands <dd>0031-20-6237357 <dd>0645-492389 <dd>0031-75-6226878 <dd><a href="http://www.concertpianoservice.nl/"= eudora="autourl">www.concertpianoservice.nl</a> <dd><a href="http://www.grandpiano.nl/"= eudora="autourl">www.grandpiano.nl</a> <dd>On 14-feb-04, at 17:01, Sarah Fox wrote: <dd>Hi Ric, <dd>Ok... that makes about 10 to one..... 10 posts argueing back and forth <dd>about whether political posts should be written... for every political <dd>post that actually IS written. Just counting :) </dl> ... and one wonders whether anyone besides Bush supporters object to these political discussions! Is it a bandwidth problem or a content problem? And should we limit all discussion on this list to things about which everyone will agree? FAIW, I don't think I've ever seen anyone complain about posts espousing any aspect of Republican ideology. People have argued against the ideas, sure. But I don't think anyone has argued that they shouldn't be posted. Peace, Sarah _______________________________________________ pianotech list info: <a href="https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives"= eudora="autourl">https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives</a> <br= > </blockquote></body> </html>