Re: Off-Topic, New Orleans Images

Bogdon,

In the past I would have agreed with you - the rule here has always been
no personal attacks. Here, I think, that might still be the best way to
go. But...no person had his or her rights or liberties violated. I hear
discourse in public on a daily basis that makes what happened here look
like kids stuff. I agree that the speech was, hateful, sexist and perhaps
inappropriate. So?? That's life - point to the hateful speech - point
the finger at the speaker for all to see, shame them. Perhaps we don't
disagree as much as you might think unless you would advocate shutting
people up who say the wrong things (from your perspective); after all that
is in large measure what the Berkeley Free Speech Movement was all about -
to let people talk and say things that many at the time found very
offensive.

-greg

On Thu, 27 Apr 2006, Bogdan Karasek wrote:

> Hi, Just like to chime in.
>
> I agree that there are the usual flare ups but these things do happen
> sometimes, nor much is happening on the list, people will go off on an
> interesting OT for a while. You with it.
>
> But this was different. This was vicious. Calling somebody a "Bitch" or
> "King Bitch" and last but not least, ...busy kissing Judy Seigel's wide ass"
> (sorry Judy), this is no longer good natured poking fun at somebody. It is
> vicious and sexist. And the treat of violence against somebody who disagrees
> with you. That's intimidation. I think, that at that point, the line has
> been crossed.
>
> Photographing T-shirts that have profanities or political/relgious comments
> on them falls under the general heading of photojournalism. You are being
> shown what is out there in the world. You may not agree with the messages,
> but that is your choice. But this was different. Members where being
> viciously attacked and intimidation was used. That is unacceptable. It
> precludes all possibility of free speech and isn't that what Democracy is
> about.
>
> Two summers ago, I was in California and went to Sproul Hall at the U of C
> in Berkeley anD stood on the same steps where Mario Savio gave his "Free
> Speech Movement" speech. For me it was a pilgrimage. Free speech has to
> be practiced. It is not an abstract concept. And it is not a given, you have
> to "fight" for it.
>
> My two loonies worth.
> I'm Canadian, and we have a different take on things. Like Democracy.
>
> Best regards,
> Bogdan
>
>
Received on Thu Apr 27 03:25:40 2006