Hmmm...it's very interesting that while Mr. Bottoms posted a quoted article
that is certainly controversial and expresses the purported opinion of one
retired general. But, Mr. Bottoms has not sunk to the depths of some members
of this list. I've seen posts that referred to him as a "creep" or a
"troll." Most posts dismissed him as a "mad ranter" or an inflammatory
"baiter." 

Mr. Bottom's post has actually helped expose a serious weakness of this
list, and one that prevents me from recommending it to my colleagues and
students. The Museum-L listserv is a very politically polarized list, very
intolerant of any views other than the extremely liberal one. Folks who do
express a contrary view are shouted down and characterized as bumpkins or
ignorant. 

I belong to several successful history listservs that could serve as models
to this group. I'd like to recommend MARHST-L, a maritime history listserv.
This list includes members from every corner of the world, and every
political leaning. And because of the maritime content, politics and war are
necessarily part of the discussion. The difference is that these discussions
are framed carefully, respectful to ALL members, regardless of nation or
viewpoint. We would do well to emulate this list.

Successful listservs go beyond civility, to caring. I was in a meeting
yesterday with colleagues from Iraq and Lebanon. The gentleman from Iraq was
describing some of the country's internal problems that have resulted from
the war, and the ensuing poverty. He insisted on using his English, and used
the word "careless" to describe the behaviors of some of his countrymen:
looting, robbing and mugging other Iraqis. His meaning was that they had no
love of their own countrymen. I've thought lots about his use of the word
and it seems to apply here. We don't mean to hurt with our words, but we are
careless...meaning that we have no love/concern for the folks who are
reading our posts. 

Donning my asbestos suit!

Becky Fitzgerald
Susquehanna Museum

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