Here, here!
----- Original Message -----
From: Knight, Steven J. <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 21, 1999 2:06 PM
Subject: Abuse of Flownet/Sanctions


> Dear Flownetters
>
> It has come to our attention that there has been a deliberate misuse of
our
> list UVM Flownet.  This violation was a deliberate commercial attack on
the
> reputation of one medical equipment vendor by the paid representative of
> another.  Not only was this unethical but it was a violation of the spirit
> of the Flownet list.
>
> On September 17 a posting was made to the list by Norman Middleton, a
> distributor for Parks Electronics.  The opinion expressed was attributed
to
> Debbie Pirt of the Western Pennsylvania Hospital.  Ms. Pirt is not a
member
> of Flownet.  Her opinion was not solicited by the Flownet community and
she
> was appalled to learn that her comments had been distributed over the list
> without her knowledge or permission.  We feel that this was a blatant
abuse
> and dishonest.  Accordingly, we have felt it necessary to sanction the
> actions of Mr. Middleton and have elected to remove him from the list for
6
> months.
>
> This list is intended as an academic adjunct for the professionals in the
> field of vascular technology/surgery.  Any deviation from this mission
will
> not be tolerated. We will not allow the good reputation of the University
of
> Vermont to be sullied by selfish interests.  Since we do not have the
> resources to edit the posting of the list's members and the idea of
> censorship is distasteful to us, we would prefer that subscribers adhere
to
> our non-commercial policy.  Our only remaining alternative would be to
> discontinue the list.
>
> At this time I would like to remind all members posting comments to adhere
> to proper etiquette and sign their name at the end of each posting.
>
> Steve Knight RVT
>
> Michael Ricci MD RVT
>
> Co-List owners
> UVM Flownet
>