This is why there needs to be an off-site message board connected to the
PWA website that does not restrict content.

I'm all for keeping PWA-related e-mail to a minimum by limiting the
random assinine comments of the people on "the List," but there should
also be a place for unrestricted taunting and all-around b.s. without
the threat of banishment. No one person should have the power to kick
anyone out of our little anarchist collective.  Even if he is from the
English department!

Just remember:

"Do what thou whilt shall be the whole of the Law." -- Aleister Crowley

Fight the Power!!!
Myk Mahaffey
Creator of Professional Writer's Anonymous (the original, uncensored PWA)

John Berry wrote:

> John Berry wrote:
>
>> Ouch! How do you like me now!?
>
> Well, I guess I like you as much as I ever did, but your message and
> general list behavior are less likeable.  So, off-line, let me remind
> you of the basic rules of the PWA list:
>
> 1.  It's a list for discussing the craft of writing.  We try to keep
> that loose enough to allow wide-ranging discussions about almost anything.
>
> 2.  It's (temporarily) a channel for administrative information about
> PWA activities, until the PWA website is up and running.
>
> Given those two very broad criteria, it's hard to be off topic.  You
> have repeatedly managed to do so, mainly by using the list as a sort
> of personal chat-and-chatter forum, with occasional forays into ad
> hominem comments that are frankly offensive.
>
> I earlier posted a general warning to the whole list about keeping on
> topic and observing general standards of mail list courtesy.  This is
> your own personal and private caution.
>
> I don't want to drop any writer from the list, because there is value
> in sharing ideas and experiences.  But I will drop you and any other
> member who cannot operate within the bounds that I've laid out.
>
> Feel free to counter, rebut, or lambaste all you want, but do so
> directly to me at this address.
>
> Kent Graham
> PWA-L Discussion List Manager
>
> Dear Kent,
> First, when one adult addresses another through written words,
> especially an elder or a better, it is good tact to begin with a
> salutation, a "dear" or at least the addressees name.     Please note
> how I have opened this note to you versus your boorish reply to me.
> Second, as I recall, I was the only person that knew of  young Mr.
> Provine's accomplishment and acknowledged it by sending out a PWA-wide
> message congratulating both him and the entire  PW department. How
> quickly my times of excellence are forgotten!
> Therefore, because I can be both complimentary and humorous I believe
> I am a wonderful addition to your rigid, controlled, dry and boring
> list-serve in which, it appears, only the List Manager is empowered
> enough to both mock published authors and web-sites, and also decide
> whom can state what and when they can state it.
> Next, when I send the old tried and true playful jab (I.a. the PW
> write formulaic garbage-a statement I DO NOT  believe), I expect
> someone over there to toss back the 'ol jab about English Majors being
> elitist snobs that believe they are all great literary writers. It's
> all good fun. Of course, if I indeed offended anyone I honestly apologize.
> Finally, subterfuge in these matters is a historically tried and true
> way for those within power to keep their power. Not that I compare the
> powers of the List Serve Manager with the Nazi SS or anything, but the
> goals of censorship and subterfuge are the same.
> Please do whatever you think is best concerning my continued existence
> in your List-Serve.
> Most sincerely,
>
> John C. Berry
> English Professor
> (108 Gittinger Hall)
> graduate student
> unpublished author
> all around swell guy
>