I forgot to mention what a great post Paul! It is precise and explains
the situation here very well.

Paul E. Schoen wrote:

Melinda tends to jump on anyone she's not familiar with, which is why
this group doesn't have many people posting and rarely adds any new ones.
In the short time I've been here it has happened several times.
Dysfunctional group, dysfunctional "regulars".

I agree. There are enough dysfunctional regulars that they have formed a
powerful pack that has been successful in eliminating discussion except on
their terms. There are numerous examples where a newbie has been instantly
challenged and insulted in an apparent effort to keep them out the elite
group. Newcomers must exhibit submissive behavior and not dare present
opposing viewpoints, and the pack members will snarl and bare their teeth
and even try to inflict injury (using verbal equivalents such as vulgar
derogatory comments and profanity), to cause them to slink away. In one
noted case they ganged up on someone with obvious emotional difficulties
and caused her to lash out and then retreat into her own hell of bulemia
and anorexia. So this behavior is not without possibly serious
consequences, yet the pack are rewarded by their success and continue their
anti-social activities and even rejoice at their accomplishments.

As a public newsgroup, everyone has equal access to posting and reading
what they choose. If enough people with decent manners and a commitment to
open discussion become active, and ignore the efforts of the dysfunctional
regulars, they may eventually win control by superior numbers, and actual
rational and polite discussion may be the result. There are rules for most
face-to-face discussion groups, and they are largely ignored by people on
usenet because, well, "they can".

Paul and Muttley