on-line debate

[Guest guest]

I'm not so convinced about the free and open debate of our American

cousins. Someone posted some stuff on a US list that I belong to

suggesting that Boyd Haley's chelator was not safe. It was a calm,

non-vituperative, science based post and I personally found it very

interesting. It prompted a deluge of personal abuse which drove the

original poster off the list (at least one person told her she was not

wanted and to leave the list). No defence of BH chelator was posted

except a description of BH as a " friend of autism " and the implication

that anyone criticising it was not a friend.

I myself posted some worrying stuff about HBOT a year or so ago and

received similar treatment (I was younger and greener then). Now I don't

post stuff there that people disagree with because I don't want to be

personally attacked. The result is a reduction of on-line debate which

moves off-list to pleasanter waters. This is generally a more open

tolerant list I find. Not many subjects provoke firm knuckle-rapping. I

think it is important to keep it so

Sally