>
> >If I remember my "Law 101" from college, the correct term for this is prior
> >restraint and would be illegal if this was a newspaper.  It is also something
> >that liberals usually (and correctly) scream and hollar about.  What gives?

While I agree with Jacob's sentiment I would respond in a more direct
fashion, perhaps thusly:

Dear whoever:

I'm afraid you are misremembering your college law course. In the first
place, newspapers always pick and choose the stories they will print;
there is absolutely nothing illegal about their disgression in rejecting
certain stories or editorials which are either unnecessarily
inflammatory or otherwise undesirable. In the second place, this list is
not a newspaper--it is a private service run by me and available only by
subscription. And as magazine publishers around the country will be
happy to tell you, I have no legal nor moral obligation to print
offensive material. You may apply whatever term you like to the
screening of your posts, but as long as you insist on trying to post
personal attacks on other listmembers I will continue to do so. If you
strongly object to my policies, I encourage you to create your own list.

I would adjust the tone of the post to fit the circumstance. Friendlier
if I post it to the entire list, more official if to him privately. And
if I'm really ticked I'd add something about unsubbing him and
libel/slander laws.
--

Ione



-- Ione L. Smith, DVM -- Department of Comparative Medicine --
-- University of Tennessee,  College of Veterinary Medicine --
      ==================================================
       http://funnelweb.utcc.utk.edu/~ilsmith/SVME.html
          The Society for Veterinary Medical Ethics
      http://funnelweb.utcc.utk.edu/~ilsmith/ethics.html
          for all sides of the AR/AW/anti-AR debate
      http://funnelweb.utcc.utk.edu/~ilsmith/stereo.html
             the stereotypical behaviors database
      ==================================================
        I am always willing to learn, however I do not
        always like to be taught. -- Winston Churchill