Carol wrote:
it is very easy to make insinuations of improper behavior. This lyst would be even more unpleasant than it has been of late if we all took to doing that.
<applause>
I'm sorry if what I'm about to write makes me come across as an arse, but...
The mood on this mailing list has become intolerable. Jacqueline unsubbed earlier in the week, and another person unsubbed today with deeply hurt feelings. I would not be surprised if many other people have unsubbed too in the past few months. I notice that Natasa has not posted in over a month, and I suspect that she has left too, which is a terrible shame.
*Please* can people step back, take a deep breath, relax - and then try to return to discussion with mutual respect and consideration?
I'm sticking doggedly to my belief that at heart people on this list do not intend to wound or hurt, but in the atmosphere that is currently around we appear to have lost a certain degree of trust. Perhaps people could pull back for just a moment before sending off a post and reread what they've written and consider whether it has been written in a spirit of generosity? I know I've fired off stuff myself that I wish I hadn't.
I'm not trying to be controlling of behaviour, I'm not trying to insist that people behave in a way which makes them feel uncomfortable. I thought this kamikaze atmosphere would dissipate, but it's gone on for two months, and people are getting hurt and are leaving.
Can we stop?
Una