Ruth, Kathy and Lydia have certainly given good advice, which is worth
paying attention to.
 
You have an unenviable position: new owner of an established list
which has gotten out of hand and you want to restore some order but
you don't want to drive off many as the list isn't all that big and
if you lose too many the list may die.
 
Fortunately, Eric has provided us with a great many ways to go at this.
But the most important thing is that you make it clear to everyone
that you will not tolerate misbehavior on the list (if the problem is
foul language, mention it specifically).  You will, guaranteed, be
attacked personally, perhaps quite viciously, for it.  As a bit of
compensation you will get one or two thank you notes.  The important
thing is to get the list back under control, which means you will
have to be firm, and let the attacks slide off.  A thick skin is a
woderful thing for a listowner to have.
 
You can put people on REVIEW, set them NOPOST for a while, set the
list to full moderation for a while as you establish the new order,
whatever it takes.
 
But, given the situation you describe, you are going to take a lot
of flak regardless of what you do, and especially if you change things.
Decide on what you want for the list and why you want it, announce it,
stick to it, enforce it and be ready for the personal attacks.  The list
might die because the foulmouths leave, always a risk.  On the other
hand if they've taken over you haven't much to lose so you might as well
go for it.
 
Douglas
       Douglas Winship   Hays County, Texas  [log in to unmask]
                    Secondary AUTOCAT Listowner
                              MEDLAB-L