TheBanyanTree: Death of 2006

[Red Pepper]

Hi - just caught up on the thread following Margaret's post. I wasn't 
personally troubled by the post, as I think most if not all of us know 
when to draw the line on topics that might be flashpoints. I guess if it 
had been taken up and argued in terms that were personally offensive to 
others on the list, I would have been very disturbed. (Bearing in mind, 
I have been known for my foot-in-mouth problems in real life as I am not 
always sensitive to what might be offensive to others, since I am not 
offended by all that much. I think!).

I enjoy hearing alternative views on this list, particularly from our 
North American friends because our media (in Australia) does not 
necessarily produce a wide-ranging view of other cultures (thank god for 
ABC and SBS!!). I have often mentioned to off-list friends how much I 
enjoy getting a more complex and interesting view of the American 
culture through this list than what I get from commercial TV.

I was however a little perturbed by the accusation of censorship, an 
allegation more serious to me than political polemic, but I am glad to 
see the issue is being discussed in an adult manner.  I am not involved 
in off-list discussions but I would be very surprised if censorship was 
a problem on the Tree, and I feel it's unjustified to make the 
accusation based on the discussion about one post.  Perhaps those 
accusations can occur off-list, unless input from all of us is really 
required.  I always find it useful to wait 30 minutes before sending 
something that has been written in hot blood - it's so easy to set off a 
brush-fire on email.

Happy New Year!
Anita
xx