Warning about the use of abusive language

[Harald Tveit Alvestrand <harald at alvestrand.no>]

Mr. Bernstein,

--On torsdag, februar 20, 2003 00:07:52 +0000 "D. J. Bernstein" 
<djb at cr.yp.to> wrote:

> What we have here is much worse: a thoroughly dishonest attempt to slip
> the latter modification past us as part of an ``AXFR clarification.''
> Anyone with a shred of integrity should be opposing this fraud.

The charter for the IETF list (RFC 3005, also visible at 
http://www.ietf.org/maillist.html) includes the sentence

>  Inappropriate postings include:
>
>    - Unsolicited bulk e-mail
>    - Discussion of subjects unrelated to IETF policy, meetings,
>      activities, or technical concerns
>    - Unprofessional commentary, regardless of the general subject
>    - Announcements of conferences, events, or activities that are not
>      sponsored or endorsed by the Internet Society or IETF.
>
>   The IETF Chair, the IETF Executive Director, or a sergeant-at-arms
>   appointed by the Chair is empowered to restrict posting by a person,
>   or of a thread, when the content is inappropriate and represents a
>   pattern of abuse.

Accusations of "dishonesty" and "fraud" in a technical discussion are 
normally considered "unprofessional".

I would also want to direct your attention to RFC 3184, "IETF Guidelines 
for Conduct", which states, among other things:

>   2. IETF participants develop and test ideas impartially, without
>      finding fault with the colleague proposing the idea.
>
>      We dispute ideas by using reasoned argument, rather than through
>      intimidation or ad hominem attack.  Or, said in a somewhat more
>      IETF-like way:
>
>            "Reduce the heat and increase the light"

Note to list: The normal procedure when dealing with unprofessional conduct 
on mailing lists includes a private warning. But since mr. Bernstein has 
chosen not to accept mail from me without asking me to engage in some 
arcane ritual of admission, I have chosen to skip this step in this case.

                       Harald Alvestrand