Re: [atlarge-discuss] list confrontation(s)

[Jan Siren <sirenj@earthlink.net>]

Joop Teernstra wrote:

...

>
> The following rules will apply with regards to False Statements:
> False statements can be made innocently as a result of an honest mistake in
> recollection.
> However, they can also serve as provocations that skirt the civility rule.
>
> a. When a false statement is made, each member who knows otherwise has the
> right to challenge the statement with the comment FALSE or PLEASE RETRACT.
> b. When such a challenge is issued, the poster so challenged must provide
> evidence of the truth of his statement within 5 days, or retract.
> c. Repeated refusal to retract unproven statements is followed by removal
> from the Mailing list.
> d. When the challenged statement is a negative, (such as "I have never
> said...") and therefore not provable, the challenger must provide proof
> that the statement is false or retract his challenge within 5 days.
> e. Refusal to retract an unproven FALSE challenge in case of a negative
> statement can also lead to removal from the Mailing list.
>

There was a previous attempt to propose list rules, which contained a similar
"false statement" provision.  I pointed out at that time that this provision
could be subject to abuse.  A member could become absent from the list for an
extended time, for a legitimate reason, such as vacation.  His "enemy," being
aware of that in advance, could take the opportunity to challenge a
particular statement in a post as false, knowing that his challenge would not
be countered within the set time limit.  The consequence might be as serious
as the removal of the innocent posting individual.

Therefore, this rule cannot be imposed automatically.  It must be under the
jurisdiction of a moderator, who would have the authority to take into
account legitimate, pre-announced absences from the list when adjudicating
issues that fall under this rule.  The scope of the moderator's authority
should include allowing rebuttals by member-designated "proxies," for
example "I authorize Joop Teernstra to be my proxy for false statement
challenges during my vacation 19 July - 1 August 2003 inclusive."


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