I would *not* like to se a separate OT list. While I agree that this current
thread may be running a wee bit long, I think it is an exception. A lot of
OT threads start as On Topic threads and a lot of on topic information is
passed in some OT threads. That is to say nothing off a lot of valuable OT
information.
I think the listers know when we have "crossed the line" and are capable of
policing ourselves. At least I hope so.

-----Original Message-----
From:   HP-3000 Systems Discussion [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of Sletten Kenneth W KPWA
Sent:   Thursday, July 13, 2000 1:02 AM
To:     [log in to unmask]
Subject:        [HP3000-L] OT:  HOT BUTTON issues (was e-commerce in hype-rdrive)

Wirt writ (and lobs a nice frag grenade (the very last word) ):

[....snip....]

> I consider this text to be a quite reasonable and accurate
> interpretation of the intent and historical context of the
> adoption of the Second Amendment. It is certainly the
> interpretation that I've always given to the Amendment.
> Should this interpretation hold sway in a direct ruling by
> the Supreme Court and thus become the law of the land, the
> banning of the personal ownership of guns in the United
> States becomes entirely possible and reasonable.
>
> Wirt Atmar

Clearly what we have above (and in predecessors leading up
to it) is *more* than enough fuel to start a potentially interesting
but large-scale conflagration and all-out email shooting war.

While I have enjoyed reading many of the "hot-button" OT
threads as time has allowed, I can see it now:  OT Hot Button
(OTHB) on 3000-L:  We could have:

Right to Bear Arms (in US and for contrast in other countries)
Centralized government versus local control (issue by issue)
Abortion
Politics (hey, the US "silly season" has four months to run)
Religion or the lack thereof (endless opportunities)

.....  there's more, but just the above should do for at least 10
years worth of back-and-forth argument and harangue.....


NOW....:  As per above, I actually find many of these posts
ranging from mildly to very interesting....   but as the general
volume of OT traffic (both so marked and "stealth") has grown
while demands on my time do the same, I'm starting to wonder:

Especially in consideration of our members who reside in
countries OTHER THAN the US;  to whom US politics and
Constitutional debate may be of less than primary interest (but
for time-challenged citizens of the 50 States too):  Might it be
time (seriously) for a separate 3000-LOT (hp3000-L Off Topic)
list ??....   If 3000-LOT existed (*and* Jeff would not be overly
put out time and management-wise) in setting it up, then all
members who wished could subscribe to 3000-LOT in addition
to 3000-L (I would !!).  No archives (keep your own copies if
you want 'em) and minimalist management.  3000-LOT could
then be essentially anything and everything goes (within what I
hope would be a generally automatic consensus minimum level
of civilized discourse)....  and posts that currently go to 3000-L
that are entirely (or close to that) OT would *all* go to 3000-LOT
(**minor** diversions into OT-land *within* on-topic threads on
3000-L would still be "allowed" (hey, there's got to be a little
flexibility for the world to remain tolerable).....

Comments ??...  bricks and rotten eggs ??..

Ken Sletten