We're getting academic here and probably beyond the scope of the discussion group, but I felt, driving to work, that the following information bears noting: 1. Nothing I post here or elsewhere is for profit. It is strictly for the "educational benefit" of the discussion and, from where I sit, falls under Fair Use. 2. The subject of Fair Use arose in a different forum inhabited by attorneys who tell me that, most probably, the ruling for such kinds of postings would fall within the Fair Use exception. 3. The emails provided by newspapers are paid for the advertisers themselves and not the Tribune per se. An article shared with one person hits one potential client. An email shared with 4,500 people reaches 4,500 potential clients. 4. Be that as it may, I wasn't aware that ChiTribune has revised its policies with respect to listservs. You cannot post articles from the Washington Post directly from their email function to discussion groups. They preclude it because they won't forward thereto. Perhaps the Tribune should consider the same (real easy to write blocking functions), but that's not my call. 5. For the last five years, I've had at least one foot in the middle of discussion groups related to disability advocacy and, as such, have had cause to interact with folks who are either blind or sight impaired. Part of my logic in emailing something directly from the source is so that our friends with sight impairments can be fully included. I'm told that operating email equipment is sometimes tough when you're blind--put a pillowcase over your head and try this at home. When they go from an email reader to a link, they have to change vehicles to do so. It's not seamless. It always seemed to me that it was much kinder--and much more inclusive--to include the full text and avoid for them the hassle of having to switch. It's always been appreciated by my blind friends/acquaintances, and I know we have sight impaired folks here on the list. To me, it's a small sacrifice, in terms of bandwidth, to ensure that all members of the community are included. If we can do it in the galleries, why can't it be done here in the discussion forum comprised of peers, students, docents and volunteers, and afficianados? 6. With respect to moderation, it's great that someone was willing to step up to the plate and help John out and it's appreciated. I had considered it myself, but I have my hands full with the other lists I maintain in support of this community. This list has maintained a certain flavor for a period of time largely because John takes a hands' off approach. Substituting for John should not entail new rules in his absence unless and until they're clearly posted in the archives and applied to all. 7. I despise censorship of just about anything but porn and spam in the interest of this discussion. The last couple of hand slappings felt like censorship. 8. It's getting harder and harder to contribute anything that people find of value. Value is a purely subjective thing. That's why we all have delete keys. I simply wish more people would use them and quit trying to censor others. Defending the position of others seems to be what has gotten me in trouble of late. It's almost like why bother? Why bother to contribute anything if the great email censors here are going to kabosh discussion? My examples include the fact that a list member was repeatedly bashed for posting something under the cover of anonymity, and now this, attempting to stave off some heavy political debate by providing evidence--educational support--that there is a museums-related reason to discuss the matter. It's getting awfully annoying around here that someone whines above or below the scenes about what is of value--TO THEM--and the next thing you know, we have a listserv edict. We have enough concerns about censorship at a National level (libraries, Homeland Security, peace t-shirts in open malls, etc.) that we need to be careful we don't forgo the First Amendment so long that we lose it. Makes me want to go out and give half my paycheck to the ACLU. Yes, I'm complaining. ===== Indigo Nights [log in to unmask] Looking for a Job? Try Got Links?, Your One-Stop Portal http://victorian.fortunecity.com/stanmer/414 __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Web Hosting - establish your business online http://webhosting.yahoo.com ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).