I sent a post on this yesterday but it was bounced back to me with a "permanent fatal error" messages attached to it. Assuming that means what I think it means, I'll repeat myself here.

Annie wrote:

I, for one, don't believe that it is possible to "own" a thread of conversation on a mailing list. Once you put it out there for public consumption, you really can't impose your own rules regarding who can and can't respond and the tone that they must take.

I agree with everything Annie has been saying on the subject.

If "thread hijacking" is an important issue to some list members, the solution would be to set up a separate list. Something like the "spin list." Set up a list for serious-only discussions. Move threads over there when you want to avoid frivolous commentary.

I've a couple of other lyst posts from yesterday that are still in limbo. If they don't turn up soon, I'll resend them.

Carol Mc