Here! Here! Well said! Ken is ABSOLUTELY right! Thank you for eloquently phrasing what so many of us think and feel. Becky Fitzgerald -----Original Message----- From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of ken brown Sent: Sunday, August 28, 2005 5:38 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: purpose of listserve OK; I can't help, after seeking advice from a wise member of this listserve. from saying the following: There are a fair number of folks who have said, with regard the recent flood of emails on a subject which might be called political, "That being said, I am still struggling to understand the relevance of this thread to museums." Also, "Freedom of Speech" has been mentioned often. To make my point, detailed below, let me provide an example. During Sunday morning services, a member of the congregation stands up and makes a short and vehement speech on the merits of butter vs. margarine in the American diet. The congregation looks at this person as being slightly addled, considering it an inappropriate place/venue and time for stating this position, yet the person defends the action as "Freedom of Speech." The issue at hand is not Freedom of Speech, but Appropriateness. Many of us believe that the purpose of this listserve is to share opinions, and seek advise, on museum operations and issues directly related to museums. It seems inappropriate, for those of us already overloaded with emails, to use this listserve for political or social discussion, for chats or debates on subjects not directly related to the operations of museums. To declare that there is a legal right of freedom of speech to do so, without considering the issue of appropriateness of the venue, appears to be strange at best and grossly inconsiderate at worst. Is there a reason for belonging to Museum-L? Is that reason to participate in political and social debate? Is it unreasonable to recognize the concept of appropriate of place and time? Is it unreasonable to respect others who participate in Museum-L and their desire and/or need to keep the list focused to its purpose? Of the many listerves to which I belong, this is the only place where the purpose of the listserve is ignored. Please do not spam me back with the freedom of speech lecture, ignoring the very real concern of purpose and appropriateness of venue. /ken ========================================================= 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). ========================================================= 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).