I have just deleted a post called Reply to Superheater by one Jimmy Bryant, no email address. Mr. Bryant had a complaint about Superheater's Cuba postings, but that is a subject I as moderator have already addressed below. This post expressed his complaint using flames and profanity which are nonstarters here. I encourage Mr. Bryant,

Erik,

There was no profanity in my posting, nor was there a flame, I just presented some facts as I see them. It is obvious your political lean is to the right, so when somebody to the left wants some time, you cut them off.

Here is an Email that I sent Erik in protest:

"Well, I see you have your agenda, although I was most certainly well under the sheets (drinking heavy), I at no time used any foul words against your upper crust "Supper-heater." I resent you implying that I did, when I did not! And I see, he must be a money factor in your endeavor, or a RIGHT-WING traveler in your political agenda. The truth really scares you folks!

IBT Brother,
Jimmy "B"
Reno, NV"

Free Speech and the American way is not represented on this site. And if you're a bother of labor, I ask you to post somewhere else until Erik understand we in labor are a force in History and have dollars.

Bob Yarger, I understand you like this place, as a bother of labor, please don't post here till Erik understands.

And if you tell me I'm wrong...I'll stand at ease.

Jimmy Bryant
Reno, NV

lassen.logger@Worldnet.att.net

I stand completely by my original judgement on the post in question, but I'm happy to let Mr. Bryant have his say in this fashion.

One note about free speech, however, just to clear up any confusion. This is a moderated discussion board, and all participants on it agree to be bound by the Terms and Conditions offered by Railway Preservation News at the top of the Interchange home page. These terms do indeed impose restrictions on how posters may express themselves, so speech here is not and has never been entirely free--it is governed by certain rules which the management has established for the good of the board as a whole.

eledbetter@rypn.org

After I made this post in response to Mr. Bryant a slew of people chimed in; some supporting the Broad's moderating polciies, others criticizing Mr. Bryant's expressed views, others critiquing the critics.

Much as I appreciate the support let's just let this one lie. Mr. Bryant has said his peace. It doesn't change the long-standing policies of the board, which are that we DO do courtesy and we DON'T do politics except as they relate directly to preservation issues. Let's let it rest at that, and talk about railroad preservation instead, shall we?

eledbetter@rypn.org

Just to give a comment from somoeone outside the administration of this forum:

I help moderate several traction related groups on Yahoo. The way a forum like this works is that someone creates it and manages it. The forum is the property of whoever creates it. There is no guarantee of free speech on any privately-owned forum. The forum owners may decide what is discussed and how. Anyone has the right to create their own forums and run them as they see fit.

This was written without regard to the posts in question as I'm not completely sure who was protesting what nor do I care.

Matthew Mummert

mlmummert@suscom.net