Ben, there are a lot of reasons not to debate the "politically correct" issue on the list. Examples: (1) It is a futile argument in that nobody ever wins or loses but the argument goes on and on forever...it's a lot like debating religion; (2) The issue almost always results in everybody getting mad; (3) It's really not the focus of the list...or, for that matter, of any other list I know of, and therefore (4) It tends to anger subscribers who want the list to focus on other things...Screen, for example. In addition to all this, it's not really a fun thing to debate. I usually end of feeling much as I do when Jehovah's Witnesses stand in my doorway and engage me in arguments about Jesus...or when someone calls me at mealtime and insists on telling me about the aluminum siding for my brick house. But I did mention "PC" in some previous posting, and I do sense a need to parry your thrusts. First, let me make this clear: I didn't come up with the term "the New McCarthyism." I read that. I think perhaps it was started by a Harvard law professor named Alan Dershowitz, but I'm not sure he wasn't lifting it from some earlier source. In any case, I agree with him fully. The "PC" mania is very like McCarthyism. Ben, I suspect you think of "PC" as merely political etiquette...guidelines discouraging insensitive remarks, etc. Actually, it's a power grab. Careers have been ended by "PC"; students have been expelled for violating "PC"; deans and other administrators have been threatened, bullied and controlled by "PC"; a fraternity was kicked off a campus because one employee violated "PC." Jobs have been denied, tenure has been denied, promotion has been denied by "PC" activists. "PC" is a definite threat to First Amendment rights of free speech. "PC" mandates that nothing that is considered to be offensive will be spoken or written. It's censorship. Some people say it really doesn't exist. That's ludicrous. It's so obvious in our society that it is really silly to deny it exists. I've seen it at work often on my campus. In fact, it seems that academe is a favorite setting for "PC." When George Bush, who often seemed to be aware of so little else, made a commencement address at the University of Michigan he said: "...we are finding free speech under assault in the United States. The notion of political correctness has ignited controversy across the land. What began as a cause for civility has soured into a cause of conflict and censorship." I voted for Clinton, frankly, but George Bush was right on "PC." Ben, you ask if my complaint is personal. No, not really. I haven't been personally harmed by "PC." But it upsets me that such a mindless and pernicious movement as "PC" could gain clout in America. Am I concerned about "PC" on the net, you ask? No, not really. There are certainly "PC" activists on the net but that's not how harm is done. The harm results from activists using "PC" to control people...getting them fired, limiting their careers, denying tenure, etc. Finally, Ben, you ask if my complaints against "PC" stem from my not liking to be disagreed with. No, not at all. In fact, it tends to be the opposite. I think people should be allowed to disagree, to have unpopular opinions, to say things that might be considered offensive by some...but "PC" is intolerant. "PC" activists set out to punish anyone with an opposing opinion, just as the McCarthyites set out to punish anyone who didn't tow the political line. I hope this explains my viewpoint, Ben, and if you disagree, so be it. Ernie.