Hello Bj”rn,

 LL>> within or outside of the fidonet community. The Fidonews echo
 LL>> consists of the entire fidonet community, regardless of "zone",
 LL>> meaning there are no zones dividing the fidonet community.

 BF> Ever since I first became editor and moderator, almost ten years ago, I've
 BF> stated clearly, numerous times, that it is an echo of the people, by the
 BF> people, for the people -- not of the Troika, by the Troika, for the Troika.

 BF> The users decide what they want to see in the echo, and I will never try to
 BF> influence their choices. To the big dismay for the Khontrol freaks in the
 BF> Troika. If they didn't like it, they could easily vote with their feet --
 BF> but that wasn't good enough for them; they wanted it all. All the
 BF> collateral damage was unimportant.

Exactly!  And that is the true spirit of democracy in action!
"What do the people want?"  That is the question what should always
be asked, and to be remembered.  A moderator should always seek to
help facilitate debate, not to hinder it.

Also, a word of note.  Some folks get "freedom of speech" and
"freedom of the press" confused.  The two terms are not synonymous.
The First Amendment of the US Constitution states four freedoms -

1. Religion
2. Freedom of Speech and of the Press
3. The Right to Peaceably Assemble
4. The Right to Petition the Government for Redress (correction)
  of Grievances

All of these rights concern freedom of the mind and conscience.

Let's see what you can come up with in regards to Fidonews (and/or
other echos) and Fidonet.  All are welcome to chime in as well with
their own thoughts.

Could be an interesting thread.  ;)

--Lee

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