RFC: Make political discussion off-topic by rule (was: America ...)

[Fred]

On Sun, 2005-01-09 at 20:04 -0500, Jon maddog Hall wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> The current "Off Topic" discussion was started by an observation that the US
> economy is not considered as "free" as others, nor as "free" as what it had
> been.  I (for one) felt that this was a reasonable topic for a list about
> "free and open source software", and one where we sometimes discuss things
> like software patents and copy left and the various freedoms that do or do
> not come from things like DCMA, etc.
> 
> But the discussion of that rapidly devolved to a discussion, as Ben said, which
> never mentioned free and open source software or linux again.
> 
> Rather than make a rule against it, I think that the time-honored approach of
> politely suggesting that they take it someplace else is enough.  Fred has
> offered his "Linux Cafe" mailing list, and others have mentioned just creating
> a small "cc" list among the combatants.
> 
> Perhaps, when people sign up for gnhlug we can send a "welcome" and "list
> etiquette", which among other things, might suggest that if you do not have
> "Linux" or "Open Source" somewhere in your email, it probably does not belong
> here.
> 
> So with that, I suggest the former "America" thread is dead on this list.
> 
> md

Well, I was afraid this would happen. So I've FWD my last post to the
new list.

I suggest those who are interested in following this thread join, if you
have not already.

-Fred

-- 
Come join The Linux Cafe:
http://mailman.puissante.com/mailman/listinfo/linux-cafe
Where no topic is "OT". 
All Linux die-hards, fans, and devotees are welcome.