[arch] Dissappointed in the newsletter 'faq' item.

[cactus]

As a vehicle for "official" Archlinux news, I am disappointed by what I 
read in the recent ArchLinux newsletter.

 > Q: I behaved like an ass on some of the Arch community channels (irc,
 > forums etc) and is now banned. Does this mean that I'm not welcome
 > anymore and that Arch moderators hates me?

 > A: No, it does not. You can normally just apologize and the ban will
 > be closed. However, it's important to learn how to discuss in a PROPER
 > way. It's allowed to flame if you can back up your stuff with some
 > descent facts, but it's NOT allowed to behave like an ass for no
 > reason at all. Not even if some other guys are doing it to you.

Let me start by saying that I realize many people hail from different 
cultures. Cultures where certain colloquial sayings likely bear more or 
less weight than in others, and so such a phrase may be used 
conversationally with no second though. Further, there are many Arch 
users with whom English is not their mother tongue--even with those 
which can claim such a thing, grammar sometimes eludes us--so 
inconsistency in certain grammar elements is irrelevant to the discussion.

Given that concession, and the fact that I am no where near what could 
be considered a "prude", I am still curious if "behave like an ass" is 
appropriate language for a newsletter.

I was under the impression, perhaps mistaken, that the newsletter served 
a dual purpose. To inform community members about the current state of 
things, and as a tool for giving new users (and potential new users) a 
glimpse inside the distribution. An ancillary marketing device, if you 
will, but one that has an Archlinux dev team seal of approval (it 
appears prominently on the front page in the "official news" section). 
Is this appropriate language for such a thing? If I am mistaken in my 
assumption about the focus of the newsletter, or how it is featured 
prominently on the Archlinux.org front-page, then I can just overlook it 
and move on--but let me know so I don't continue in my ignorance.

However, I am having a bit more trouble simply overlooking what I take 
as an exercise in needless public mocking of someone who made a mistake? 
 From an outsider viewing such a thing, it might even look silly and 
senseless--perhaps funny even. From someone involved in the incident, it 
could be perceived as purposefully hurtful and viscous.

something more along the lines of the following could have easily 
conveyed a similar message:
Q: I was banned from IRC (or Forums) by one of the moderators. What do I 
do to get back in?

A: First, think about the reason you were banned. If you feel it was 
unwarranted, speak to a moderator. If you feel the need to apologize for 
what, upon later reflection, you believe to have been inappropriate 
behavior, then do so.
Please do not send tons of messages to moderators. Repeatedly messaging 
a moderator seconds after banning is not a likely way to gain 
re-admittance. Attempting to circumvent a ban (irc or forum), will be 
looked upon rather harshly, and will likely result in a more permanent 
or more serious ban.