[IMC-bristol] tony gs trial

[sam rossiter]

> I find it ridiculous that you 'try' him for broken
> rules that are non existent.  This is the way it
> works folks - you make a rule, you make sure
> everyone (or at least the majority) agrees with it,
> then and only then do you have the right to suggest
> that someone has broken that rule.

Agreed, we need to put rules in place. 
This is a project that has been based on trust- we all
assume that we won't act unilaterally or mis-represent
the group. What has happened here is a loss of trust
within a informal group, not a 'trial'.
  
>  
> So, democracy at work at BIMC...  what actually has
> happened is:
> A suggestion was made that Tony Gs should not be
> linking to specific sites

This was not discussed at the meeting- It's not
somthing that I take seriously- as you say he can link
to whoever he likes.

> An accusation was made that Tony G had been speaking
> on behalf of BIMC without permission (from who isnt
> made clear)

Permission from the rest of the group- we are a
collective

>  
> To the second, I have yet to hear details of exactly
> who Tony G was said to have spoken to 'on behalf of
> BIMC'.  Perhaps this was a mistake, or he was
> misquoted?  Perhaps it never happened, we'll never
> know because we were never offered any evidence that
> this had happened and neither was Tony allowed to
> defend himself. 

We in fact spent almost two hours discussing it with
him at our last meeting- he has admitted to making
those statements.


 Even if the proof was provided that
> he had indeed done so, although its definitely a
> rude offence, its not actually against any rules, so
> short of a reprimand theres little BIMC can do about
> it.  Best to make a new rule about it, but you cant
> just punish people willy nilly.  

No it's a breach of trust- In a project that up until
now has worked on the basis of trust- we now need to
revise that.

>  
> Unfortunately, not all of us can make it to your
> meetings,

Do you have mobility problems?- we may be able to meet
at a place that tis convenient for you?

We recently went south of the river for the first time
and are looking to move the meetings around the city.


 "so just a small clique of you get to
> decide everything." 

That is true to a extent- decisions have to be taken
and it's a 'dictatorship of those that bother to turn
up'- although those meetings are open and advertised
so 'clique' might be a bit strong.

 What else can we do?


 I am thoroughly disgusted with
> the behaviour of BIMC, I will no longer recommend
> the site, I will no longer post news there, I will
> no longer bother to comment on any of the 'news'
> there already.  I will make an effort to discourage
> others from using the site, though to be honest most
> people I know dont bother anymore anyway.  I gather
> I am joining many others who have decided that BIMC
> is a nasty little clique, undemocratic, most
> definitely not open to everyone, and certainly not
> living up to its claims.

It's a shame that you have formed that view without
ever meeting any of us....

> "Remove me from the list please," >  

if you go to this link you can remove yourself:

>
http://lists.indymedia.org/mailman/listinfo/imc-bristol
> 

With regret 
Sam


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