a joke aside I think the probelm is not reallly about 'difference,' but the lack of compromise.

At
this point, we can no longer find what the root cause of this debate
was (we can argue about it, but I think we have gone too far away from
that) But I agree with Mike's post in a way there is no right/wrong,
good/evil, especially now that the debate has spread out to other
venues, and it feels like it's been few weeks.

In hope of reconciliation, I would like to urge both parties to "think outside of the box."

This
is not about who is the victim or who is oppressed by whom, or who is
in who is out and forget about making the exeption about yourselves.
Being an activist does not mean that you are a saint, and free from any
egoistic behavior, or unconciously subjagating others. We are all
living in this power-driven soceity after all, and we all have 'inner
capitalist` within us. I do too.

The point is how we analyze ourselves deeply, and reconcile with
ourselves first. It takes time, but better than rushing back to
'production' (jeez, sounds too much like employers who want
strykers to 'get back to work')

Sooooooo back to the issue, I
would like onece again to suggest all parties involve to stay away from
all this for few days while the meeting is being set by Thomas, Mitch or
whoever seeting it up.

Althoguh I agree with Mitch that IMC
should continue to exist and create, I'm not personally interested in
supporting something that comes out of un-democratic process for the
sake of productivity.

It doesn't have to be tommorrow. Maybe a week, a month, who cares?

I think IMC London is one of the most active ones around the region, and why not have a bit of break?

I really hope to see this being resolved though.

This is just my two cents, sorry if I was being too philosophical, and I hope I didn't offend anyone.

Your good neigbour,

Kota

I am now convinced that a comment rating system on the LC with so few users is absurd and a really bad idea. Regardless, as Alex mentioned many times, of what the names of the different numerical ratings are it will still function the same way. Seriously, these ratings are so silly and nonfunctional they're actually embarrassing.

According to Anthony, this comment (which is a non-comment) classifies me as a "Worse Neighbor - 1".

I don't know how you guys think repackaging this will solve its arbitrary/structureless (you have not provided any guidelines of what such ratings are/should/could/would/will/ultimately cause... whatever) foundation. It's a popularity rating system which inevitably pushes out descent. Is that the goal?

And I would like to repeat that this site is not slashdot.

"Participatory democracy postulates low energy technology. Only participatory democracy creates the conditions for rational technology." Ivan Illich http://radicalblogs.org/lpps

Hi everyone, please read my reply carefully before responding again:

I am not sure why we are getting so excited to talk online about what is clearly a sensitive issue which should be resolved or discussed in person. I am personally not affected, i am trying to help out members of indymedia. Elizabeth: no need to apologize, and my feelings are not involved, I am actually trying to protect those involved and from any damage to indymedia. I don;t think any of us know the whole story and that is why i insist you come to the meeting.    

I stated clearly that if anyone is sincerely interested in indymedia they are welcome to come and partake in the meeting. Dan you have been involved a lot so please come out. We appreciate you sincerely. We may very well need a mediator or someone to chair the meeting to ensure that we are all on the same page after all this drama. Dan you expressed concern about the intent of the meeting, I don't understand, and lets talk on the phone or in person email em thru the site please. Your concern and opinion is valued.

I have explained that I feel that the possibility of a reconciliation meeting seems absurd because toban has shut this idea down several times, and no I'm not going to post any links to show the trail of that subject. Jeff, we have seen his refusal to cooperate, and we are afterall volunteers. We don't have a committee to deal with this type of occurrence, nor do I feel it appropriate to cater to someone who has been abusive, threatened indymedia members and stopped production. no doubt that sentence will be challenged but if you all knew what has transpired you would understand my insistence on ending this discussion.

I explained that the post for the meeting was mistakenly put here and should have been under events, and this sensitive issues was not meant be discussed online: this is part of the problem in the first place. I appologize for using toban's name but I didn't know what else to say, and he has been unfairly using jon and anthony's names all over the net. Due to to the sensitive nature of the issues this notification of the meeting was not meant to be an online discussion.  

What i'm hearing in this post is that you would maybe be open to attending a meeting organized by and attended by a third party mediator. Is that a fair understanding? Of course please correct me i i'm wrong and i would love to hear you talk about what would make you feel comfortable going to a meeting. Thanks!

“Coffee is a great power in my life...it chases away sleep...”
Honore De Blazac

As far as moderation of discussions goes on this site, the general user base has a lot more control over that now with the new version.

I see several people have been rating comments already.  Please remember that the comment rating system is intended for moderating civility, not whether you agree with a comment.

You have to be signed in to see a comment with an average of less than 2.5.

If you're signed in and don't want to see low rated comments, under "Comment viewing options" at the top of the comments section change "Show low-rated comments" to "Hide low-rated comments" and click on save settings.

Your very correct that statements such as "I feel" are very important in conflict resolution.  A moderator is needed in conflicts to bring such useful tools to help groups resolve their differences.

Hello everyone of the London activist community,

I am letting the community know that both Anthony and Toban have agreed to third party mediation regarding the IMC conflict(s).

While negotiations are taking place, both parties have agreed to cease discussion online (public forums) any aspect of the conflict(s).

I too, as facilitating this process to mediation, will refrain from any personal comments.

I would like to thank all members who have expressed their interest, more info will be posted as needed.

I thank you all for your patience and concerns.