Ron,

I think that the reason that it was taken to the HR department is because Al
took a "personal, off-line email" and made it public to the list.  I was
extremely disheartened by the end results.

I don't know Al, but I truly don't believe he meant to be offensive.  As a
conservative, Christian Republican who happens to be a Dr. Laura fan - I had
reason to be offended (and I was).  However, I also took it in the light
that this is a public forum which is dedicated to discussions of MPE and the
HP e3000 but which has also entertained some considerable off-topic
postings.  I had considered writing a private piece to Al but chose not to
because I felt that it would do more harm than good.  In retrospect, I am
glad that I took the road that I did... I just wish that more people had
done the same...

I think that we had several things which occured that shouldn't have (in the
order that they occurred - which escalated the issues)...

1.  The off-topic humor was probably in poor taste and potentially
offensive.  As such it should have stayed off the list.
2.  Private email were generated which were more than a flame, they were
rude, abusive (and vulgar) personal attacks in bad taste.
3.  Private emails were publicly posted.
4.  The HR department was contacted instead of keeping the issue between the
parties.

I have been subscribing to this list for nearly two years now.  This is the
first time that I have seen this type of behavior (beyond item #1)...
personally, I hope and pray that it is the last.

Glenn