Comments on: Freedom of (controlled) Speech http://www.poligazette.com/2008/08/01/freedom-of-controlled-speech/ News and Analysis from Different Moderate Perspectives Tue, 02 Dec 2008 12:35:47 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Jason, Managing Editor http://www.poligazette.com/2008/08/01/freedom-of-controlled-speech/#comment-62913 Jason, Managing Editor Fri, 01 Aug 2008 18:57:15 +0000 http://poligazette.com/2008/08/01/freedom-of-controlled-speech/#comment-62913 Claudia, I already erased it.  Freedom of speech is freedom from <em>government</em> censorship, it does not obligate editors to publish every piece submitted to them.  That is important to remember, since the alternative is to allow trolls to completely take over everything in sight by using a misinterpretation of "freedom of speech" as an all-purpose shield against any counter-reaction from actual contributors. Trolls are intellectual vermin and we shouldn't let an overall respect for life prevent us from controlling vermin, should we? Claudia,

I already erased it.  Freedom of speech is freedom from government censorship, it does not obligate editors to publish every piece submitted to them.  That is important to remember, since the alternative is to allow trolls to completely take over everything in sight by using a misinterpretation of "freedom of speech" as an all-purpose shield against any counter-reaction from actual contributors.

Trolls are intellectual vermin and we shouldn’t let an overall respect for life prevent us from controlling vermin, should we?

]]> By: Claudia, Assistant Editor http://www.poligazette.com/2008/08/01/freedom-of-controlled-speech/#comment-62912 Claudia, Assistant Editor Fri, 01 Aug 2008 18:54:14 +0000 http://poligazette.com/2008/08/01/freedom-of-controlled-speech/#comment-62912 Joshua, I could erase the comment for personal insults, but since the post IS about freedom of speech, and because I find absolutely hilarious the phrase "shut up you foul mouth freedom fighter" it will stand. You don't even know if I'm white (I am, but could easily not be) but of course you insist that my opinions MUST be based on racism. In fact if the games were in Japan I would be fine with it (which, if you're Chinese, probably only makes you angrier), or South Korea, for instance. The sad fact is that you are pretending to defend the Chinese while promoting their own repression. I would love to see the games in a free and democratic China. The people of China are not my problem, but the (unelected) government most certainly is. So no, I won't shut up, and the beauty is, since I don't live in China, you can't make me. Also beautiful is that since you don't live in China, you are free to say anything you like without a knock on the door. Enjoy that right, it is precious, and millions upon millions of Chinese can only dream of it for now. Joshua, I could erase the comment for personal insults, but since the post IS about freedom of speech, and because I find absolutely hilarious the phrase "shut up you foul mouth freedom fighter" it will stand.

You don’t even know if I’m white (I am, but could easily not be) but of course you insist that my opinions MUST be based on racism. In fact if the games were in Japan I would be fine with it (which, if you’re Chinese, probably only makes you angrier), or South Korea, for instance.

The sad fact is that you are pretending to defend the Chinese while promoting their own repression. I would love to see the games in a free and democratic China. The people of China are not my problem, but the (unelected) government most certainly is.

So no, I won’t shut up, and the beauty is, since I don’t live in China, you can’t make me. Also beautiful is that since you don’t live in China, you are free to say anything you like without a knock on the door. Enjoy that right, it is precious, and millions upon millions of Chinese can only dream of it for now.

]]> By: Chris http://www.poligazette.com/2008/08/01/freedom-of-controlled-speech/#comment-62905 Chris Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:42:24 +0000 http://poligazette.com/2008/08/01/freedom-of-controlled-speech/#comment-62905 Thanks Joshua for exercising that freedom of speech so often lacking in China.  Be comforted in knowing that your comments are not likely visible on computer screens in China, either. Thanks Joshua for exercising that freedom of speech so often lacking in China.  Be comforted in knowing that your comments are not likely visible on computer screens in China, either.

]]> By: joshua http://www.poligazette.com/2008/08/01/freedom-of-controlled-speech/#comment-62903 joshua Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:34:23 +0000 http://poligazette.com/2008/08/01/freedom-of-controlled-speech/#comment-62903 <i>admin: personal attacks and anti-American bigotry are not welcome here</i> admin: personal attacks and anti-American bigotry are not welcome here

]]> By: Michael Merritt http://www.poligazette.com/2008/08/01/freedom-of-controlled-speech/#comment-62880 Michael Merritt Fri, 01 Aug 2008 13:20:49 +0000 http://poligazette.com/2008/08/01/freedom-of-controlled-speech/#comment-62880 <blockquote><strong>Answer</strong>: The environment is changing thanks to the efforts of the government. The Games have hastened the change in the atmosphere and we think it will only get better. </blockquote>I don't know, but some of the construction photos I've seen <em>still</em> have Beijing looking awfully smoggy.

Answer: The environment is changing thanks to the efforts of the government. The Games have hastened the change in the atmosphere and we think it will only get better.

I don’t know, but some of the construction photos I’ve seen still have Beijing looking awfully smoggy.

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