[Prev|Next|Index] Thu, Feb 22, 1996 john schmelling

Censorship, the Law of Responsibility & Boobies

     By john schmelling

     [Prev|Next|Index| greenway@neosoft.com Louisiana USA

     Censorship, the Law of Responsibility, & Boobies

     Once upon a time in elementary school, our class clown said
     something that he wasn't
     supposed to. The words he spoke so incensed our teacher, that she
     punished the whole
     class to teach us a lesson. To rationalize her actions, the
     teacher said, "the good have to
     suffer for the bad" and "one bad apple spoils the whole barrel."

     It seems that this same brilliant method of punishment is still
     in effect today and being
     imposed on those whose speech, art, and ideas have been deemed
     "obscene" or otherwise
     inappropriate by the PC crowd.

     Of course you know of the legislation which seeks to hold
     Internet service providers
     accountable for the actions of individuals. It should also be
     apparent that legislation must
     be enacted to prevent such a tragedy from ever occurring to
     anyone, ISP or not.

     For this reason, I have even attempted to draft a Law of
     Responsibility.
     You can view it at http://www.neosoft.com/~greenway/law.html

     It's purpose is twofold: first to require that all people be
     responsible for their actions thus
     seeking to eliminate the "I'm a victim" disease; and secondly to
     punish lawbreakers while
     protecting individuals and companies from being held accountable
     for actions committed by
     others.

     The bottom line is, it is not the governments responsibility [or
     right] to impose morality on
     its' citizens; or raise our children.

     Since both child rearing and morality vary according to cultural
     and social differences, it is
     unconscionable to impose a "one size fits all" ideology to cover
     the many and varied
     peoples of this nation.

     Obviously we need laws (and there are) to prevent adults from
     intentionally soliciting and
     harming minors, and punish those who do. *You must admit,
     however, the world will not
     come to an end if your child happens to see Pamela Anderson's
     "boobies."*

     So during these 24 Hours in Cyberspace, let us send a message to
     those who wish to
     censor and silence our First Amendment rights, preferably by
     exercising your free speech
     while you still have it.

     If you wish, you can quote the four horrible words of our class
     clown.....

     GET OFF MY BACK!

     Keep it wild

     Law of Responsibility, morality, boobies,class clown

     

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