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The limits of free speech will differ dependant on the environment
In the UK we are fortunate to have The British National Party (BNP) who from time to time have come to prominence in local elections , most recently quite close to where I live. They are of the far right, with an anti immigration and I think I am right in saying a repatriation policy. The election of local officials from this party led to inter-racial rioting in several local towns with large Asian populations.
On one particular Saturday the BNP were set to march through one of those towns. At the last minute the local police chief banned the march to avoid further rioting and potential loss of life etc. That this party is allowed to publicise its views is I believe right (they are their own best detractors by opening their mouths) but others do not (I have great deal of sympathy with this view but just fall the other way). That the police chief called the rally off was right because it would have restricted people's civil liberties (being alive).
I believe that free speech should be allowed to go to the absolute limit before the speakers words and consequential actions the lead to detract from the listeners civil liberties. Only then would you switch off the microphone! (And then beat the living day lights out of them. Ha! Joke.... obviously!)
In terms of BN if someone feels threatened or unable to express aview for fear of attack then that is not acceptable.
Sorry for pushing my views like this but it is a very interesting point you make Sassy.
I'll shut up now.
posted by
Mike_Manc
on October 11, 2003 at 7:36 AM
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Free Speech
I for one have always wondered about the limits of free speech. If it is about someone personally and they feel attacked, well these days people are sue happy! I guess there is a fine line or a proverbial catch 22. I wrote a similar blog that you might enjoy.
Speak Your Mind And You May Get A Lawsuit
posted by
Sherri_G
on October 11, 2003 at 7:11 AM
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benzinha
In my experience, most of those who have been banned, if not warned, at least committed multiple offenses before they were suspended. I have seen some of them post that they were warned and then their behavior would get better for a day or two before it would go back to the same or worse than before. Some people simply can't or won't control their behavior in this environment.
By the way, ignoring abusive behavior does not stop it. It empowers the abuser into believing he or she has a right to act as they wish and that those around them condone the behavior.
posted by
Whim
on October 11, 2003 at 6:52 AM
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Response to "three strikes"
We have posted
a comment on the Town Square discussion in response to the "three strikes" comment.
posted by
BlogitStaff
on October 11, 2003 at 6:23 AM
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I always walk away from profanity and ignore it. We Can walk away and ignore things. And if attacked with profanity
we can remain cool in our responses. If we can't, well then, everyone walk away and give them no audience. I think that we should be allowed to choose to pay attention to idiots or to ignore them and not have to worry about tattletales, I never did like them in elementary school either.
I swear this all happened because I wasn't here to calm things down. I go on vacation and the neighborhood just falls apart. The two times that I was gone, this happened. I'm sorry that I left for vacation and left the kids without a responsible babysitter. Now, this all begins to feel very 1984 and I want it All to stop.
Most places that I belong to have a warning system, like in ball games. Yellow card, yellow card, red card, then OUT. I want 1st, 2nd and then 3rd warnings BEFORE you're out.....I do, I do, I do. This Magic wand POOF is too much for any community to handle. It changed us all emotionally. Shaycom could initiate a 1 2 3 you're out system that we could better understand. That way we could see the magic wand and the POOF coming.
posted by
benzinha
on October 10, 2003 at 11:48 PM
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Request
We welcome constructive criticism, so we would like to make the following request. The most common scenario is one in which a member repeatedly abuses others, e.g. calls them by a profanity, in an attempt to keep them from expressing their opinions.
In this case, what would you consider an appropriate response? We would appreciate your responding in a comment on the Town Square discussion, which we are monitoring.
posted by
BlogitStaff
on October 10, 2003 at 8:53 PM
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Only when there's a good reason
Jemmie211, we thought it might be good for us to post this comment again in response to your latest blog entry. Blogging Network was built with the idea that this would be an environment where people of opposing views could come together. As long as they resisted personal attacks and weren't deliberately trying to disrupt the BN community and site.
We are forced to suspend members as a last resort when there are violations of the Terms of Use that everyone agreed to when joining Blogging Network. Unfortunately, since BN Staff is unable to discuss the action taken on a user's account with a third party we can only point you to our post yesterday in Town Square and this one explaining the process in detail.
If you have specific concerns please email us at help@shaycom.com. Thank you.
posted by
BlogitStaff
on October 10, 2003 at 8:33 PM
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