Good for you, Michael, for speaking up for all of us who hold free speech
as one of the most important concepts the world of humans has to offer. I
too am dismayed, to put it mildly, that the only contribution of someone to
a list is all of a sudden to write in to criticise it. I'd say we who
contribute the most to this forum have by default the greatest influence on
it, and I think--in a democracy--that's the way it's supposed to work. I
would welcome Michael Willison's or Scott Ray's commentary on things
ornithological or birdy. If the critics want to alter the perceived
direction(s) of tweeters, they should begin their own discussions, on the
subjects of their choices. And these criticisms arrive just after lengthy
and interesting discussions on Sharp-tailed Sandpipers and Rufous-necked
Stints, twitcher fodder if I've ever seen it.

I do admit, though, that I was startled to see that another of your
messages to tweeters was a rare-bird report! Next time, please couch it in
language we can understand:

A Scrub Jay has been found in Vancouver,
We'll be sure to attempt not to move her.
She hangs out at a feeder,
Where we suet and seed her,
'Til to our RBC we can prove her.

Dennis Paulson, Director phone: (206) 756-3798
Slater Museum of Natural History fax: (206) 756-3352
University of Puget Sound e-mail: dpaulson at ups.edu
Tacoma, WA 98416