This letter has been edited a little to conceal the identity of the sender, who is a minor.
Our list access was restored after the president of the congregation was made aware of the problem.
Also, one correction of fact: Michael Berger was never a member of UUCF. He was a pledging friend.
I wish to real quick make you, Mike, and the list aware of my "signature" in this email message.
Thinking backwards a second I see that is totally unrelated to this message, nevermind :-)
OK, on to the heart of the matter: forwarding of private email messages.
I see it like this: Mike, a former member of UUCF and "competitor" to the current UUCF web site, has directly disrespected two members of the UUCF congregation.
Without regard for the feelings of either Kurt Jensen or Bruce Wheeler, Mike Berger forwarded their PRIVATE email messages to him on to the UUCF email list.
As pointed out by Bruce Wheeler such action is in total violation of netiquette standards and general respect for privacy and human decency.
Mike: I can only say WHY?
The most apolling aspect of the forwarded messages is that you didn't even comment! Total disregard on your part.
As of this moment I am removing (if it has not already been done) Michael Berger from the UUCF email list, and any other church-affiliated lists, for his improper internet conduct.
Though this is an email list for the general congregation and friends there of, that does not give any member of this list the right to violate internet standards of conduct. We reside on the internet via this list as much as we reside in the United States of America while on the UUCF grounds, and so being we must follow the rules, as well as implied laws that pertain to those locations.
And in fact it can be argued that Mikes action goes against federal laws of privacy - a subject which, with relation to the internet, there has been a lot of talk about recently. Even without such a law, I can say with confidence that there is certainly no law prohibiting me from blocking Mike Bergers access to this list, as it is privately owned and operated.
Consider this a message from an annoyed netizen more so than an annoyed UUCF-goer. So saying, I leave the final decision about Mikes list access to the Board and Don Martell, as well as leaving this up for discussion on the part of the UUCF list members.
Thank you for your time and modem bandwidth, and Mike - I apologize if you do not want this, but if you want my decision overturned without the direct intervention of those in charge of the UUCF list I expect an apology to Kurt and Bruce, and that you explain to them, as well as me, your intentions.
- -
'I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.'