Re: Another voice has been silenced

[John McEwen <moparrr@xxxxxxx>]

This is a comment from a new member of this list.  It is based on 
many years of internet participation in other automotive-related and 
marque-specific lists.  I receive approximately 300 emails per day 
from these lists and closely follow many interesting threads on them.

All lists require rules and a moderator who should be careful to 
control the content to prevent the kind of foolishness which has been 
going on here.  All other lists to which I belong, or have belonged, 
would have ended the silliness, name-calling and outright hysteria 
which we have witnessed since I joined some 6 months ago.  No other 
list would permit outright mention of names, companies, products and 
specifics in this manner simply to prevent the possibility of a legal 
action against all of the members.  There is such a possibility here 
- not to mention the very real possibility of an action for libel.

On all other lists, the name and email address of the list moderator 
is known and advertised.  Additionally, the processes for leaving the 
list are clearly shown at all times.  The rules are clear and are 
followed.  Those incapable of following them are warned and if the 
warning is ineffective the offender is removed or banned for a period 
of time.  End of subject!  Competent list supervisors will also 
announce that a certain thread is ended and all subsequent posts on 
the topic are simply blocked.  Persistance will result in the person 
attempting to continue the thread being banned for a period of time.

On a properly-moderated list, with participants who are motivated to 
stick by the rules, emails are signed by the sender.  They are not 
simply hurled out without a posted address and with no clue as to the 
sender.  Sniping from the bushes is not the way to participate in the 
old car hobby for the benefit of self and others.

Personalities, feuds and  friendships outside of the list are 
irrelevant.  The topic in this case is AMC - not the politics of 
personal empires, personal profit or loss on AMC-related businesses 
or who belongs to what club and why they should or shouldn't.  Let 
the clubs put up their own websites and run their own lists if their 
only concern is enhancing membership or wooing members from one to 
the other.

Those kinds of discussions belong off the list.  They may start there 
but must be taken off to personal interchanges without the need to 
expose members to personal agendas.  The quality of a list is known 
by its conduct, its friendliness, its respect for other opinions and 
its utility value.  It is also known for an even-handed approach to 
the diversity of the vehicles and the interests of the different 
members.  The list must also be tightly monitored to guard against 
the willful sniper who shoots harsh and damaging words from his 
anonymous position at the keyboard.

A poor list is ultimately a reflection on the cars themselves and 
creates stereotypes regarding the kinds of people who own them.  So 
far, the old stereotypes of AMCs being poor, cheap cars for poor, 
cheap people seems to be winning the day.  I'm sure the Chevy guys 
must be snickering.

An un-moderated list, as this seems to be, is a zoo without cages - a 
back alley cat fight or a cheap podium to snarl at the world to 
compensate for personal failures and inadequacies.  I have witnessed 
more bad language, ignorance, open anger, bias and outright nastiness 
than anywhere else in my 10 years of list participation.  It has come 
from a very few people, who by their self-announced credentials are 
old and wise enough to know far better.

I stay because I have a car and am interested in participating with 
fellow AMC owners in a useful forum.

Let's get back to that!

John McEwen

'78 Matador Barcelona Coupe