Originally from: Farmtalking
                        
Hi Lina!

I reply to your message for Bill's attention below – I think a few corrections are necessary!

Hi Bill,
I could not agree more. Unfortunately the moderator of
this group does not agree that this should count for
something. The demand for a apology seems to be more
important then contribution.

J.B. That is not true; they are two quite different matters.
Being a good contributor does not exempt anyone from the terms of this board.>

As been said, this is a UK list for the benefit of
those associated with agriculture in the UK, that kind
of rules out foreigners as far as i am concerned.

J.B. If you consider that 'rules out foreigners' that's your conclusion, but it is, in fact, quite wrong. All nationalities and creeds are welcome to join this message board.>

It is a shame that this has only now come up, because
it is my believe that we should be able to learn
something from people in other country's regarding the
way they think and regarding the way they solve their
agricultural problems. To bad that that is to be
considered as unwanted.

J.B. We can and do learn from others in other countries. I have no idea why you draw the conclusion that such contributions are 'unwanted'>

 I note also that differences
of opinion are no longer allowed as well as a variety
of subjects, as said there are many different boards
on which that can be aired. How far this goes is
beyond me.

J.B. Differences of opinion most certainly are allowed and many different subjects have been aired, debated and tolerated, both 'on' and 'off' the topics introduced. Nevertheless, the Farmtalking Board is for the benefit of agriculturists and their families in the UK, with special regard to matters arising during and after the FMD crisis.>

To be able to stick to a subject there has
to be one people are willing to discuss about, but the
problem is you never can tell which way a discussion
is going to go. And what if a difference of opinion
comes up during such a discussion? There have been
many in the past. One only has to take a look in the
message archive to see that differences of opinion
have been going on a lot always, and they have by not
been caused by the foreigners of this list or non UK
members.

J.B. These remarks would seem to illustrate and confirm just how very tolerant and understanding the moderator must be!>

The talk about forgiveness, which has been
posted a couple of times to, does not seem to have any
meaning at all when it comes to it.
I am very sorry and i do not mean to be rude or
anything about this, but i must say that the help of a
certain foreigner or non UK member going on list by
the name of Burkie was sometimes more then helpful and
wanted.

J.B. I have already stated that I agree his postings have been appreciated.>

And i still feel that the massage posted about
him by the moderator about his so called mistakes was
unnecessary and yes also rude, rude because he did not
get a opportunity to reply to that on this list, he
was taken off before he could.

J.B. That is not true. Burkie was given every opportunity to abide by the requested terms of the Message Board and to withdraw his accusations and apologize; he refused to do so. I also wrote to him 'off list' pleading with him to undertake to abide by our terms and apologize as requested. He has replied, refusing to comply. That is his choice. He has not been 'taken off' the board but has been 'barred' from posting messages.

I will tolerate a great deal but I will not put up with what appears to have been a concerted effort to insult the British people, members of this Board and flagrantly defy the terms requested of members.

Please be in no doubt that I would do the same again if a member from the UK, or any other country, behaved in the same way or insulted any other nationality!

If you or any other member cannot accept this, please 'unsubscribe'.

I trust this really brings this matter to a close for everyone.

Jane