Date:         Tue, 19 Jun 2001 16:56:30 -0400
Reply-To:     "Horace K. Sawyer" <hksawyer@CATT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Horace K. Sawyer" <hksawyer@CATT.COM>
Subject:      Re: censorship
Comments: To: Bill Kasper <dragonlist@IPMTS.UCSC.EDU>
In-Reply-To:  <B754C4A0.1071C%dragonlist@ipmts.ucsc.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

>i've seen this discussion of "freedom of speech" on many moderated lists.
>
Hopefully all know I was kidding about having a screaming fit about free
speech.  : )  (Not that I don't have those on a regular basis)  I guess its
just the lawyer thing.  And that facet of freedom is never, never to be
taken for granted.  Just ask those in the 'Nam, and others.

But in this List context, there is no absolute freedom of speech.  The
First Amendment is a protection against governmental action to silence
opposition.  The List is privately created and maintained.  The List owner
can pretty much run it or regulate how he/she wants, provided it does not
damage other person's rights.

I agree porn links shouldn't be posted on here at all -- EXCEPT for reasons
I can't quite explain, I almost feel like an exception could have been made
for the "link in question." Obviously, the only reason for this must be the
fact that the action was taking place in a vanagon.  Heck, we are in fact
free to choose or not to choose to see it.  That could end the inquiry.
But the link did relate to vanagons.  No can deny that.  And it did teach
the value of good shocks.  Oh, it had a shock value.  : 0  It was really
and truly a different sort of bucking syndrome, as earlier described.  : )
 It was different and unexpected; it was a Friday type post which may have
uplifted the spirits of the downtrodden, yet undoubtedly some were
offended.  How to foresee who will feel what?

But Tom's decision is made, and right or wrong (in the eyes of the
beholder) we live it.  It will be tough -- no doubt -- but I will do my
best to comply.  There will be no appeal.

HK