Just thought I'd clarify the Administrators' position on this topic, so I'll repeat my posting from 20 Sep 2001 in the Travellers Advisories Forum:

"The Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Community includes folks from over 100 countries and all major religions. We believe in tolerance and respect for everyone, and do not feel that religious or political debates belong on the site.

We'd appreciate it if folks just provided factual information for the benefit of other travellers, and we will be editing postings if necessary to ensure no one is inflaming a very tense situation. CNN, BBC and other sites are encouraging debate and discussion, so please post your personal opinions there."

The HUBB has always been intended as a fact-based board, where people can ask for and provide information to help plan trips, deal with paperwork, transport, insurance, medical and other issues.

It is NOT intended or run as a 'chat' board, NOR to debate the great political or religious or cultural issues of our time (of which gun control is a big one). There isn't a shortage of other sites where you can get into that sort of debate, if that's what you want to do, so this isn't meant as a denial of anyone's free speech.

This doesn't mean that people don't have opinions, and when it comes to topics such as 'Which Bike?', where there is no definitive answer, all we ask is that opinions voiced should always respect those you are disagreeing with.

We have seldom had to censor the HUBB, but occasionally it is necessary to remind folks of the above policy.

I think this topic has been sufficiently covered, and I am now closing this thread, so I guess that gives me the last word! Have to have some privileges for being the Administrator.

Thanks
Susan

__________________
Susan Johnson

Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com