[Reader-list] desist from clicking 'send'

[Nazneen Anand Shamsi]

Dear Iram,

Thank you for your post. I wonder why are you concerned about how people
articulate their views. If this is a non-moderated forum for discussion,
then please let it be so. Personal rebukes/accusations/conversations will
always be a part of any public conversations. One cannot assume all those
who post here will do so by implicitly subscribing to an agreed upon public
etiquette. Don't you think that by writing periodic mails like the one
below, you as a representative of sarai, engage in doublespeak. Could I ask,
with all due respects, as to who are you, to assign an exchange as
'insulting', and how can you categorize, an exchange as 'petty'.

If there is a categorical database, which the list administrator adheres to
for archiving the list, then, don't you think that we, as participants of
this list are entitled to it. If there are any such rules and regulations,
then please share it with us. I am sure, all of us, would be benefit from
it. If you have no desire to witness any witty comments, then, my dear, why
don't you just delete all those mails, like we do, instead of threatening us
with your assumed/imagined personal/organizational norms of decency.

This issue with respect to language has come up on the list from time to
time. I want to take Iram's letter as an opportunity to ask to all
concerned, if language is such a big issue with list members, then please
drop this pretense of non-moderated publicness of this list. Please make
this list a private members only community, where, all those of us who are
articulate, respectful of each other may engage in polite conversation.

I would more than happy to be not included in this 'aap-jeenab' crowd.

Best

Nazo.



On Tue, Sep 23, 2008 at 6:04 PM, Iram Ghufran <iram at sarai.net> wrote:

> Dear all
>
> The Sarai reader-list is a non- moderated forum for discussion. I
> request you to please carry personal conversations/ accusations/ rebukes
> OFF LIST.
>
> I don't think the list administrator would want to archive for eternity
> some of the most petty insults that have been traded on this forum in
> the last few days. I have no desire to be a witness to any witty
> comments that people have to make in this game of one up-manship. I know
> that most people on this forum are very articulate and well read, so
> unless anyone has something substantial to say, please restrain yourself
> from clicking 'send'. But then who will decide 'substantial'? Well, I
> still have hope in everyones ability to gauge that!
>
> And can we not do what the press is doing - a media trial. Not of the
> alleged terrorists, and not of the Delhi police. Let us also bear in
> mind as responsible citizens of the Republic (and correct me if I am
> wrong) that the Judiciary in this country holds a person innocent, until
> proven guilty. So I request people, upholders of the Constitution to
> please bear that in mind.
>
> Please please spare the Inboxes of fourteen hundred people.
> Thank you.
> Iram
>
>
>
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