Gould 0738 wrote:

I agree with everything you have said above, with one exception.

The founders of rec.boats had in mind a discussion group about
"boats". It isn't "rec.boats.politics", "rec.left-wing boating
whiners", "rec.right-wing boating whiners", or
"rec.boats..whiners"....it is "rec.boats.".

Which illustrates a philosophical challenge. Should the group be self censored
as to topic? If so, how could the censorship enforced?

None of us can control or regulate the group- but we can control or regulate
ourselves. If everybody only submitted posts that reflected their own idea of
what the tone and nature of the group should be, pretty soon it will assume a
shapoe reflecting the will of the masses. :-)

I have decided that I will continue to exchange off-topic ideas, as long
as the discussion remains civil. The minute it becomes personal, I will
duck out.

I think most of us can deal with off-topic banter, as long as it isn't
presented in the same vein as a school yard brawl.

Dave