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[ Note cross-posting and new "Followup-To:" header. --crk ]

In article <kjnCrtwr2.85A@netcom.com>, Ken Navarre <kjn@netcom.com> wrote:
>There has been a substancial amount of bandwith taken up by earthquake 
>predictions in the ca. earthquakes.

My definition of "substantial" must differ from Mr. Navarre's.
There has never been a particularly large volume of posts in that
group except immediately after large local earthquakes.

>A lot of discussion/flaming has 
>recently taken place that detracts from the scientific discussions that 
>were common to that newsgroup.

ca.earthquakes is not supposed to be exclusively a forum for
scientific discussions.  It has always been a locus for
interaction between scientists and interested non-scientists.
The traffic about earthquake prediction is entirely appropriate
in the existing group.  Plenty of professional seismologists do
take the time to read it there.

Adding the proposed newsgroup wouldn't work unless seismologists
follow the discussions there, because the main reason that
predictions are posted to ca.earthquake is to bring them to the
attention of seismologists.

>Several comments have been made regarding 
>the establishment of a seperate newsgroup dedicated to the discussion of 
>predictions, their methodology, and success/failures.

"Several comments"?  I count one posting suggesting a new
newsgroup, one response that detailed the procedure without
endorsing the proposal, and one announcement that a discussion
would take place in ca.news.  This proposal does not belong in
ca.news in the absence of a demonstrated need.  Standard
practice is to discuss a proposed group and generate a
provisional consensus BEFORE presenting it to the news
administrators.

>I would like to solict comments on the establishment of ca.earthquake. 
>predictions. Hopefully, if enough input is received this group can be 
>added and will provide a forum more appropriate to the topic.

I think it would be a solution to a problem that does not exist.
It's completely unnecessary.

>Thanks in advance.
>Ken Navarre
>kjn@netcom.com 

You're welcome.
--

    Chuck Karish          karish@mindcraft.com
    (415) 323-9000 x117   karish@pangea.stanford.edu