I had truly hoped that by this time, this node would have slipped from prominence. Alas, it has not, and as one of the people in the CB at the time this was occurring, I feel I need to clarify a few points.

I think prad intel did absolutely the right thing at the time by bringing the matter to the attention of the English-speakers in the Chatterbox. Ideally, someone with power users membership could have done something then and there about the matter. Unfortunately, while one power user DID try, behind the scenes (as I learned hours later), the attempt was unsuccessful.

prad intel did also provide more detail, via private message to myself, on what the two were talking about, including that they were "joking" between themselves to the effect: "let us now teach them filthy language". Given this information, and the very few bits that were in English, I do believe that what the two were discussing would have been offensive to the larger majority if it had been uttered solely in English, and my particular concern at the time was that it was most certainly offensive to those people in Bangalore, India, who were just coming online at that time. As we all know, the Monastery is viewed in many workplaces, schools, libraries, homes, etc. As a member of this community, I do not want its reputation sullied in any language.

Yes, there were some parts of this whole unfortunate incident that could have been handled much better. Ideally, a power user would have been there when this happened and could have taken steps immediately. I do think a credible warning backed up by perhaps 5-10 minutes in the Borg's Belly for one of both of the offenders would have taken care of the matter long before anyone felt the need to post concerning it.

Life, in general, as it was that morning, is far from ideal.

Would I have posted a partial transcript (and it is partial, omitting the requests of numerous participants for the offenders to cease and desist, and for NodeReaper to come help us out)? No. I would not. Would I have done as prad intel did do, in less public ways? Certainly.

As prad intel correctly did, I would have notified the non-Tamil-speakers of the CB as to the nature of the offenders' conversation. I would have privately copied CB History so that I had a permanent record of what transpired, so the actions of both the offenders and the "innocent" users of the CB could be demonstrated unequivocally should questions arise. And I would have provided that copy as well as a "sanitized" translation to site moderators on request.

I've been here a little while longer than prad intel, so I knew not to take the step of creating such an indelible record of the transgression.

But I also think that a more complete knowledge of what actually transpired than prad intel provided in his post, is necessary before judgment is passed.

IMHO, a very flustered, embarrassed young man, deeply ashamed and offended by the conduct of his countrymen, did the best he could think to do on short notice, having had little experience with the PerlMonks community and its predominately Western culture to date. If I were out of my linguistic, East/West cultural, and online-community depth, I could only hope to do as well.

Thanks to all out there who help to make this crazy community a well-loved home away from home for me, and many others.