 Internet
Censorship
censorship n a :
the institution, system, or practice of censoring b : the
actions or practices of the censors; esp : censorial control
exercised repressively
censor n 1 :
one of two magistrates of early Rome acting as census takers, assessors,
and inspectors of morals and conduct 2 : one who supervises
conduct and morals : as a : an official who examines
publications or films of objectionable matter b : an official
(as in time of war) who reads communications (as letters) and deletes material
considered harmful to the interests of his organization
[Definitions taken from Webster's New
Collegiate Dictionary, 1981]
Censorship has existed for hundreds of years
and has taken many forms from malignent racism to political idealism to
supposed protection of the young. But all forms force the opinions and
values of a small group of people on a larger body that may not agree with
how or what is being censored.
As a theory, censorship has a lot going
for it. There are even some things that I think should be considered
for censoring. But actually applying it becomes a nightmare when
determining what is acceptable or not. Often the distinction is not a clear
cut line but a fuzzy grey area subject to interpretation and personal tastes,
beliefs, values and prejudices.
This page is dedicated to the stupidity of
internet censorship. Here I am attempting to be banned by a self appointed
group of holy than thou jerk offs. Say NO! to attempts to censor
any form of media. While in theory, censorship is a good idea, in practice
it sucks. No one person or group has the right to tell us what we
may or may not read or access. We have the right to read or
express ourselves however we wish. Self proclaimed censors
or government regulation is a step towards totalitarianism (i.e., Facism
and Communism). Speak your mind and protect your rights to say, write,
read or think as you desire.
I do believe that limited censorship is
necessary with those that are not of an age to make a decision based on
based on judgement and reason rather than emotions or desires. However,
the age at which this should be applied is very grey as I have met some
very mature teenagers and some very immature adults in their 30s.
Needless to say, some information is completely inappropriate for young
people.
Updated for Thursday, April 9, 1998
While watching the National News last night, I saw an piece about
Ernst Zundel, a well-known Canadian and Hate Mongerer, and his participation
in a Holocaust revisionist website. The Human Rights Commission of
Canada was reviewing his activities and articles therein and was of the
opinion that they were illegal here in Canada. Unfortunately, the site
in based out of a server in California and in the USA such activities or
publically expressed opinions are not illegal.
While I support free speech, I do not support the flagrantly hostile
and aggressive hate mongering that such persons and organizations claim
to be their right under freedom of speech. What amazes me is that
if you were to say something bad about them, they would take offense and
probably drag your ass into court for slander even though you were exercising
your right to freedom of speech. So where does Freedom of Speech
end and hate monger and slander begin?? It is a very grey area and one
that will be debated and argued for many years to come.
In the end, such hate mongerer is just prejudice against someone for
something they have little or no control over. It is Racism of the
worst kind and should not have to be tolerated by anyone. While these
individuals do have the right to their own opinions and such, they do not
possess the right to present such opinions as fact. This only perpetuates
prejudicial attitudes which (in my opinion) are a major factor in violent
actions between individuals and countries.
Hot Links
-
 Laura's
Tirade About Her Friend's Site Being Banned
Janis's
Outrage At NOT Being Banned (temporarily off line)
Sidra's
Banned Site
If you are interested in finding out more
on "censorware" and their bannable list, Sidra's site has some good links.
Laura (and I) can't understand why her friend, Lisa Masterman, got her
website banned. Janis tears a strip out of one of the censors' when they
told her that they did NOT ban her site. Truth be told, it should have
been "banned" according to their own guidelines.
Essay - Defining Sexual Perversion
Originally titled "Sexual Perversion: How
Should It Be Defined?", this essay was written in November and December
of 1995 as the major assignment for my Philosophy of Sexuality class
I took torwards my Bachelor of Arts (History). My essay focuses on differing
definitions of sexual perversion, analysis of those definitions, and offers
what I believe is an appropriate (and realistic) definition of perversion.
It is likely to offend some people particularly those with conservative
beliefs on sex for pleasure, same sex relationships and the use of contraceptions.
I have editted and added to the essay since I first wrote and will continue
to do so. So without further delay, I present Sexual
Perversion
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Last modified 990112 2345 CST by
Devin
T. Peterson . |