[Discuss] Removal of Lumpy MacNutt from this mailing list

[Scott Petersen]

Corey Burger wrote:
> Hello all,
>
> I think all of you understand why I am making this request. Lumpy
> MacNutt has proven himself unable to converse in a civilized manner on
> this mailing list, in direct contravention of our guidelines[1]. As
> such, I am formally asking for him to be removed. If needed, I will
> raise this at the meeting as well.
>
> [1] http://vlug.org/vlug/faq/index.html
>
> Here is the evidence:
> http://vlug.org/pipermail/discuss/2006-June/021465.html
> http://vlug.org/pipermail/discuss/2006-June/021467.html
> http://vlug.org/pipermail/discuss/2006-June/021471.html
> http://vlug.org/pipermail/discuss/2006-June/021494.html
> http://vlug.org/pipermail/discuss/2006-February/020457.html
> http://vlug.org/pipermail/discuss/2006-January/020215.html
> http://vlug.org/pipermail/discuss/2005-November/019546.html
> http://vlug.org/pipermail/discuss/2005-November/019569.html
> http://vlug.org/pipermail/discuss/2005-November/019786.html
> http://vlug.org/pipermail/discuss/2005-November/019796.html
>
> Why do we care? Well, I just received an email from a longtime
> contributer to Ubuntu, Daniel Robitaille, who lives here in town and
> has been subscribed to discuss but has just unsubscribed from it, due
> to Lumpy. Also, any new person joining the list would be right in
> assuming we have a problem with behaviour and respect. Lumpy is
> creating a poisoned atmosphere and seems to be unable to respond to
> resonable requests to stop his activities.
I have to agree completely with Corey on this issue.  Lumpy should be 
removed from this list. This list is a lot different than most 
newsgroups or forums. This is a group of like minded individuals that 
form a community. We know each other on the list and outside of the 
list. In any community there are going to be those who do nothing but 
annoy others. However, outside a mailing list, in "real life", there are 
consequences to that behaviour. Consequences may take the form of the 
individual being shunned, being avoided and otherwise being ousted from 
the community.  In  a mailing list such as this, the consequences are 
not able to be enforced by individuals in the same way.  It is like 
being stuck in a room with the person at all times and not being able to 
leave. Yes, you could plug your ears every time the person was annoying 
(ignoring the messages) but you have to hear enough of the message to 
know to plug your ears.

We have guidelines for a reason: to protect ourselves from just such 
abuse. If Lumpy does not deserve to reap the consequences of his 
actions, nobody does and we should dispose of the guidelines as they are 
a complete farce!

Many of you know me and know that I am an even keeled, happy kind of 
guy. I have been on the BOD and, if I was still living in Victoria, I 
likely still would be. I say this to address my credibility. The issue 
with Mr. MacNutt has lowered my enjoyment of the list and it distresses 
me greatly. Vanlug, of which I am a member, does not have nearly to 
feeling of community as VLUG and I fear that if we are forced to go the 
way of "Ignoring the Trolls", the community will be diminished greatly.

Cheers
Scott Petersen