[matilda] Ban that guy

[dan at aktivix.org]

Allo,

Now - Joe may have broken a cardinal e-mail rule, but that's a tiny crime
compared to what's been written to him.  

I'm not too sure where Dougald was coming from on this: sounded a bit 'where
there's smoke there's fire'... that ain't the point. "Well, yes, he hit you
with a baseball bat.  But you kept on making snide comments..."  Doesn't really
work, and this attack is, in its way, as nasty as any physical assault. 
However much anyone might disagree with Joe about a specific point - 

a) His right to argue for positions different to everyone else's should be
defended and

b) that should NOT lead others to think they can attack him with impunity.  They
cannot.

Now, back to that mail: it's hate mail of *nearly* the worst sort.  It makes any
other argument this last week not matter a jot in my opinion.

It managed to restrain itself from homophobic attack, just, but in every other
way is absolutely deplorable.  No amount of disagreement or provocation
justifies that, and the writer needs to know.

I propose he's banned from the space. That kind of vicious, nasty attack is
absolutely 100% beyond the pale.  I don't think I've read anything like it on
any list, period.

Joe should be protected from it.

Joe: don't let the bastards get you down! He's talking absolute arse, and you
really really don't deserve it. 

love

Dan