From: utzoo!decvax!harpo!utah-cs!sask!derek
Newsgroups: net.news
Title: Beware the coming of NET WARS
Article-I.D.: sask.208
Posted: Mon Feb  7 07:20:31 1983
Received: Tue Feb  8 04:34:22 1983

I really like Usenet.  It gives us all a forum to discuss
almost everything under the sun with our peers.  There are
a few problems.  Since we are all equal, no one can tell
anyone else what to do.  While this is good for the most
part, it does create some petty fighting among us.  Imagine,
now in this electronic age it is possible to make sworn 
enemies without ever laying eyes upon them.

In particular, the debate over which groups should and 
should not exist.  Recently there was a discussion about
net.gdead and whether it should be terminated or moved
to net.music.gdead.  A note just came to me saying that
it was removed by watarts!usenet after I had seen at 
least 4 requests to retain it in its present form. *sigh*

I would like to propose a form of central control.  WAIT,
before you start flaming please hear me out.  In this
country, we pride ourselves on democracy.  I believe that
this is also the custom in the United States of America too.
Why don't we elect a panel from among ourselves to decide
upon such issues.  The head of the panel we could call
a Prime Minister, or a President if you wish.  This panel
could decide upon which groups should be here and which
should not.  They could hear the proposals for new groups
and make a decision.  It would then be up to the president
to turn the plan to action and create the newsgroup.

This panel would have power.  It would be given to them
by we the people.  

If we all decide to go ahead with this I propose the
following procedure.

	o  create a group of 12 people spread out as
	   remotely as possible

	o  everyone who wished to vote would register
	   with each one

	o  prior to voting, the list of registered voters
	   would be posted to the net.  Possible bogus
	   voters would be spotted at this time.

	o  all registered voters would then cast their
	   ballots for their candidate(s)

	o  the results are tallied and our panel comes
	   into existence.

I would recommend that the panel consist of 12 'good men tried
and true' and women too!    The period of office would be one
year at which time the panel's final duty would be to hold the
next election.

This panel could officiate at the birds of a feather sessions
at Usenet, could be responsible for issuing letters of reprimand
to netnews readers who fail to follow our code of conduct (the
netnews etiquette which we all follow).

What do you think?  I think you should post your answers rather
than mail me direct - especially if they are personal attacks.
I have submitted this in good faith, hoping to prevent the coming
of NET WARS.

Derek Andrew
U of Saskatchewan