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Originally posted by NovusOrdoMundi
Is ATS an arena for freedom of speech?
Originally posted by SkepticOverload
With absolute and unqualified certainty, yes.
Originally posted by NovusOrdoMundiDoes freedom of speech have limitations on it that I am not aware of?
Originally posted by SkepticOverload
"Limitations" is not the appropriate word ...(cut for content)... The appropriate word, or better yet, the ideal state-of-mind, is that of responsibility. Free expression is not a license to offend, obfuscate, or lie; it's an opportunity to stimulate, challenge, and transform.
Originally posted by NovusOrdoMundiIt needs to be made clear now: Is ATS an arena for freedom of speech or not? If it is, then in my opinion, no matter how classless or insensitive a post is, it should not be warned, removed or be subjected to moderator intimidation.
Orginally posted by SkepticOverload
We do not, will not, and should not remove posts or threads purely on a subjective measure of classlessness or insensitivity. We prefer to leave this entirely up to our members in their responses and flags. However, when members cross the line defined by the Terms & Conditions, we need to consider an appropriate response.
Free expression is not a license to offend, obfuscate, or lie; it's an opportunity to stimulate, challenge, and transform.
free·dom-
-noun
1. the state of being free or at liberty rather than in confinement or under physical restraint: He won his freedom after a retrial.
2. exemption from external control, interference, regulation, etc.
3. the power to determine action without restraint.
Originally posted by TH3ON3
I have also been warned for replying in a funny manner, I think it was about whether or not a certain member should be allowed to carry a gun, and I tongue in cheek replied..."you look like Barney Fife, and are proly just as dumb, and I wouldn't give you even a single bullet".
That post was meant in jest to the original poster, but instead it was removed as an insult towards the OP and I was warned and levied with a 200 point deduction.
That is really a silly policy since this guy was asking whether or not he should be allowed to carry a gun and the people responding didn't even know him, so why was my answer so out odf line?
I say mods and Skep, take a chill pill, and let the community be, unless it is extreme such as threats and abusive language.
Originally posted by caballero
Do you see the oxymoron between SO's statement that we do have free expression on this site and the actual rules that regulate what we can and cannot express.
Originally posted by TH3ON3
I for one think it is absurd to remove any post simply because it attacks another.
I say mods and Skep, take a chill pill, and let the community be, unless it is extreme such as threats and abusive language
Originally posted by TH3ON3
... I think you will find my post.
Originally posted by caballero
reply to post by SkepticOverlord
Like I have said before I am sorry for my attitude earlier, I lost my head and tried to fight a stupid fight.
=
.............What I didnt take into account for was that many people cannot compose themselves in a respectful manner. Even people who can often slip like I did above. So I NOW understand that the rules are there for good measure. I guess I was just arguing for arguings sake.
I felt I brought up a good debate argument......
[edit on 12-8-2008 by caballero]
Originally posted by SkepticOverlord
Could you perhaps discover something more contemporary? A three-year old thread announcing action taken against intense hate-mongering is hardly an example of your implication of habitual censorship.
However, here is an example of one of the items posted by the member referenced in that thread... which has since been removed. There are several places online to discuss the promotion of fiction-based distortions of historical events that promote various brands of ethnic/racial/religious hatred. We generally prefer that ATS not be one of them.
souce : www.abovetopsecret.com...
Originally posted by SkepticOverlord
Why are you harping on one three-year old incident of a disruptive (banned) member copying-and-pasting large amounts of hate speech as your only example of censorship?