TN-Birders: Views or opinions about a nominee for the Supreme Court are not appropriate subject matters for TN-Birds. As moderator of the list, further discussion of that subject has been closed. From time to time, we will have subscribers who express controversial and inappropriate messages. The person making the post may not believe their post is inappropriate for TN-Birds. As moderator of this list, I want to thank those, who in my absence, stated that the subject matter should not be on TN-Birds. I appreciate the calm and polite way subscribers responded. This list is owned and managed by the Tennessee Ornithological Society. As moderator of the TN-Birds list, I serve at the pleasure of the society. We cannot have a list of rules to cover the varied, possibilie, discussions. So, as moderator, it is my role to manage the traffic, manage discussions, manage subjects and manage controversy. I try to be fair. Since I am no stranger to controversey, and I am outspoken and controversial at times, I allow more than most moderators. I honestly don't think I am being unfair. Subscribers to this list have a right to address controversial subjects or participate in controversial discussions. Historically and traditionally, TN-Birds subscribers have expressed their desires that this list should not be a forum for discussions that comment on political parties, political candidates, political nominations and such. So it is not. And it will not be. Subscribers have said that discussion which address the partisan political reasons why things have or will happen are not appropriate for TN-Birds. As of 8 p.m. Eastern and 7 p.m. Central, today's political discussion should be closed. I ask that everyone refrain from political discussion. Thanks to everyone for their support and cooperation. There will be no online debate of this decision. If you disagree you may e-mail me at wallace@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx I will be more than happy to give careful consideration to all view and messages. If, in my opinion, we have issues which need to be discussed more further on TN-Birds, I will address that online with all subscribers. Any subscriber who continues this political discussion will lose privilages to this forum. Let's go birding..... Wallace Coffey Moderator TN-Birds Tennessee Ornithological Society Bristol, TN ,