I must say I was shocked too when I entered the balcony of yesterday's early evening jec match and found myself and everyone else (temporarily) gagged. I told weedo in private that I do see their problem but also that I do not see this as a solution. Taking away peoples' opportunity to conversation because a few bad guys refuse to behave is quite simply disproportionate and I told both weedo and Llande in private that I would not come see a single jec match again as long as this measure would be in effect. The sole thing I got in reply was a "we will miss you". This got me to think if I would ever consider coming back at all, even without the gag being in effect. Guys: if this is the way you want to handle misbehavior, then you are well on your way to killing off everything that makes bridge on the internet such a success so far. The socializing is as much a great aspect of the jec games as watching and discussing the bridge. If you take that way, people simply wont bother to come watch anymore. After all, the games are usually good. But then again they're not that good that people would feel left without an alternative. BBO has a lot to offer in that respect, so don't overplay your hand here. Other than that I concur with what was said about freedom of speech: living to it necessarily includes putting up with the crap of those unworthy of the principle. If you dó need a gagging device, start asking for one that can switch off speech from those misbehaving. But even the use of that asks for utmost reluctance.
