paleonet PALEO net

[anthony.butcher@xxxxxxxxxx]

Please, let's remember this is the PALEO net server.

No names in particular, but I have been informed by colleagues that some of 
our political posters have been banned from other palaeontological 
listservers for expressing such views, in a manner that is out of context with 
the true nature of the intention of this palaeontological network.  There must 
be other lists where political views would be more appropriate and, I am 
sure, welcomed and discussed wholeheartedly.

The aforementioned persons should beware of ostracising themselves 
completely from the palaeontolgical community, and creating a self-
deprecating reputation, especially when they have seemingly legitimate and 
interesting research activities that the community will undoubtedly benefit 
from.  I am not criticising political views: they are extremely important and 
make us who we are, but there is a time and a place, and I think most of us 
agree that it is not here.

I'm sure my e-mail will create some 'political' views of it's own, and I 
apologise to the other Paleonet subscribers for any unwanted responses 
generated by it on the listserver: if you wish to criticise me, please do so 
direct to my inbox, and save the other members the frustration of having to 
read them!

Best regards to all, whatever your views!

Tony.


___________________________________

Dr Anthony Butcher
S.E.E.S.
University of Portsmouth
Burnaby Building
Burnaby Road
Portsmouth
PO1 3QL
United kingdom
Tel:  (+44) 23 9284 2258
Fax: (+44) 23 9284 2244
anthony.butcher@port.ac.uk
___________________________________