Message-ID: <35DA9609.C8B9452C@office-logic.com>
Date: Wed, 19 Aug 1998 10:08:25 +0100
From: Brian Stafford <brians@office-logic.com>
Organization: OfficeLogic International Ltd
MIME-Version: 1.0
To: Drums WG <drums@cs.utk.edu>
Subject: Re: DRUMS management versus implementors
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All, I can remain silent no longer ...

It seems to me that if one insults the intelligence of others in the course
of contributing to a debate and subsequently publicly humiliates those who do
not agree with their point of view, they must relinquish all right to a fair
hearing.

It does not matter whether the contribution to a debate is valid, to demand
a high standard of conduct from all protagonists is a principle applied in
democratic institutions.  Failure to comply with those standards must result
in exclusion from the proceedings.

One can draw a parallel with the practice in the UK where the Speaker has
the right to temporarily suspend Members of Parliament from attending the
House of Commons for the use of inappropriate language or behaviour.
Similar practices are, of course, found in many other countries.

Governments apply such rules so that they may conduct democratic business
instead of wasting time trading abuse.  Recent debate within DRUMS and other
WGs amply demonstrates what happens when standards of behaviour break down.

I'd like to contribute on a technical level, but I have better things to do
with my time than to pick out valid content from personal abuse.

-- 
Brian Stafford
OfficeLogic International Ltd.
Suite 1, Craven Hall
Sackville Street
Skipton
North Yorkshire
U.K

EMail: brians@office-logic.com
Phone: +44 1756 702940
Fax: +44 1756 796406