Post by Razorblade Butterfly on Nov 22, 2005 23:06:05 GMT -5
I'd like to discuss something that bothers me. It seems to me some people are confused about what the First Amendment is about. We all might remember from history class back in high school:
From Wikipedia:
Freedom of speech is the right to freely say what you please, as well as the related right to hear what others have stated. It is self-explanatory. Recently, it has been commonly understood as encompassing full freedom of expression, including the freedom to create and distribute movies, pictures, songs, dances, and all other forms of expressive communication.
Freedom of speech is often regarded as an integral concept in modern democracies, where it is understood to outlaw government censorship. Thus states may still punish (but not prohibit) certain damaging types of expressions, notably sedition, defamation, publishing secrets regarding matters of state security, etc.
However, does this right grant any person the ability to say anything they want?
Some people seem to think so. They'll spout off anything they want to, as degrading or insulting as possible, and simply claim "it's a free country."
My answer though, is No. No it does not.
The First Amendment was created in a time in our history where the citizens did not have a voice. It was designed so that we would have a say against an unjust government. Its intentions were to protect the citizens.
It was not created so that you, or anyone else, could say anything they want. The moment a person infringes on the rights of another, (the most personal and sacred universal rights, such as their physical or emotional safety, for example,) they immediately give up their own rights to freedom of speech. It was not created so that anyone can go around and degrade, humiliate, or maliciously bash another person without fear of retribution. To me, claiming the freedom of speech as a defense for harassing someone else is ridiculous and completely indignifying.
I bring this up for discussion purposes, but also because it relates to Razorblade Butterflies. Sure this is a place created so people can express themselves and be open and free to say whats on their mind. However, I will not let people publicly harass, disrespect, or dishonor the other members of this board. I won't let that information so generously given to you to be used to hurt someone else, someone who put their heart on the line by exposing their weaknesses and asking for help. It is completely opposite of the environment that I want this place to be. In such a chaotic and unfair world as this, day to day, I want this place to be a safe haven where someone can come to feel welcome, safe, and comforted.
I don't have many rules here, not even on language. However, I will not allow such abuse on my boards. If you want to criticize someone's personal character, choose your words carefully so that its productive, not damaging. Please deal with those feelings you might have some other way, otherwise this place may not be for you.
From Wikipedia:
Freedom of speech is the right to freely say what you please, as well as the related right to hear what others have stated. It is self-explanatory. Recently, it has been commonly understood as encompassing full freedom of expression, including the freedom to create and distribute movies, pictures, songs, dances, and all other forms of expressive communication.
Freedom of speech is often regarded as an integral concept in modern democracies, where it is understood to outlaw government censorship. Thus states may still punish (but not prohibit) certain damaging types of expressions, notably sedition, defamation, publishing secrets regarding matters of state security, etc.
However, does this right grant any person the ability to say anything they want?
Some people seem to think so. They'll spout off anything they want to, as degrading or insulting as possible, and simply claim "it's a free country."
My answer though, is No. No it does not.
The First Amendment was created in a time in our history where the citizens did not have a voice. It was designed so that we would have a say against an unjust government. Its intentions were to protect the citizens.
It was not created so that you, or anyone else, could say anything they want. The moment a person infringes on the rights of another, (the most personal and sacred universal rights, such as their physical or emotional safety, for example,) they immediately give up their own rights to freedom of speech. It was not created so that anyone can go around and degrade, humiliate, or maliciously bash another person without fear of retribution. To me, claiming the freedom of speech as a defense for harassing someone else is ridiculous and completely indignifying.
I bring this up for discussion purposes, but also because it relates to Razorblade Butterflies. Sure this is a place created so people can express themselves and be open and free to say whats on their mind. However, I will not let people publicly harass, disrespect, or dishonor the other members of this board. I won't let that information so generously given to you to be used to hurt someone else, someone who put their heart on the line by exposing their weaknesses and asking for help. It is completely opposite of the environment that I want this place to be. In such a chaotic and unfair world as this, day to day, I want this place to be a safe haven where someone can come to feel welcome, safe, and comforted.
I don't have many rules here, not even on language. However, I will not allow such abuse on my boards. If you want to criticize someone's personal character, choose your words carefully so that its productive, not damaging. Please deal with those feelings you might have some other way, otherwise this place may not be for you.
