Forum Moderation

[Andrew McHarg]

Do I understand correctly that it is ok to make offensive comments about non-users of this forum? Or at least non-users who are used to being insulted?? This is just nonsense. If language is used that if directed at you would be objectionable then it is objectionable.

Not sure how you can possible know if Mr Short - or his friends/family - would be used to such comments and whether or not he is I certainly think it far more damaging to CS reputation to allow such insults than the post that you pulled.

I think there is a difference between a comment which is superficially considered "offensive", and one which has actually offended (i.e. someone has complained about it). You may be right that such a comment is more damaging, but perhaps not. I mean it's quite clearly the opinion of Andy B (alone?), whereas many of the other vitriolic disputes are between prominent CS figures (past or present), bringing the core of the organisation into disrepute as far as outsiders might be concerned. Are they likely to want to be part of such an organisation? Wheras Andy's comment was more likely just to be viewed in isolation, much like if someone had made a comment about David Cameron.

It not only did not name any individual but simply referred to a group of people -

"...yet are proudly professed non members"

The operative word being 'are' - if it referred to an individual it would be 'is'.

Not in the context it was stated. The gist of it was along the lines of: guys like Mr X are "proudly professed non members". I think it was quite clearly a post which was trying to pretend like it was being generic, but was in fact very deliberately worded in such a way where anyone of even the slightest knowledge of the politics of the situation would know exactly who it was talking about. This is supported by several emails I have since received from various people who all - by their words - clearly knew who it was targetting. So sorry Mike, I don't agree, and I think it's quite naive to not read between the lines.