Free speech or what

[Whickerman]

There's a website for Goth kids called the Old Curiosity Shop. Some of the pages are moderated by a dutch man called Raza. Have a look and see his responses to this - and then have a think about free speech. I'm 100% for free speech, no matter how controversial. That said, I'm also in favour of keeping kids innocent - childhood is short enough. Therefore it's my responsibility to check what my daughter looks at on the net.

http://forum.oldcuriosityshop.net/forum/viewto pic.php?t=5764
Third post down etc.
This type of thing sickens me and makes me question my values regarding freedom of speech...

[Doc Spock]

What a strange site.

[bednobs]

difficult isnt it, when you believe in free speech for yourself (homophobia, derogatory comments) but not for other people

[bednobs]

i take that all back, at first glance i thought this was a random posting fron ds, sorry whickerman

[B00]

If you read further on whickerman, he tells us that he's 18. I'm wondering how much of his crap (and yes, it's crap) is based on the 'know-it-all-teen-factor.

I should imagine a few years down the line, he's going to be so ashamed of these posts.


how you feeling today anyway?

[China Doll]

HI Whicks,

I don't think he's defending sex crimes on children. I think he's trying to put it in to some sort of context. Or at least that's how I read it.

I don't agree with the context but I think in a warped (to my opinion) way he's trying to be reasonable.

As a moderator on a kids site I don't think his comments are appropriate but I think if the comments were on an adult debating site then they might make an interesting contribution. They'd definately spark off a debate.

I do believe in keeping kids innocent for as long as possible but that said this looks like a site for teenagers and how else are they going to form their own opinons if they're not challenged every now and then as to what their opinions are. I don't want another angry mob generation.

I'm really not trying to defend his views, just trying to take a step back and understand. It's a naturally emotive subject so it's hard to not react to the content but to actually see what's being said. (Not saying I understand all that's being said, as far as I can see most of it is utter tripe to say the least).

[cazzz1975]

I tend not to listen to teens, especially goth teens who always seem to have some obnoxious issue that makes them automatically disagree with anything reasonable.

[Doc Spock]

Jumping to conclusions eh ********.

[Doc Spock]

bednobs, why xxxx that.

[ruby27]

I am less and less sure when is speech free and when is it insulting or oppressive.

Part of it is about intention - is it meant to encourage thinking widely on the subject or it careful manipulation. I am veering towards manipulation on the part of the raza person.

I think freedom of speech is something to carefully consider and if not be sure about others motivation to be as objective and reflective as possible about one owns motivation and objectives. An ongoing debate.

[EngTeach]

There are a lot of weird sites out there. i came across one for proana/promia and was sickened by it. (These are sites that condone the anorexic/bulimic "lifestyle choice".)

How does a parent really monitor their child's exposure? It' s scary.

[Doc Spock]

These are dangerous times we live in.

We must protect our children at all costs.

[Whickerman]

Hi Boo - getting there (modern medication is great!)

I take all the points made here on board. However, if you get time have a look through some other pages - in this thread he reckons selling children for sex is no worse than making them work in factories. In others he is less subtle about his beliefs. My point is this - he's the moderator of that site and as such is in a position to make his views known and has been known to drop posts by people he disagrees with - in fairness not in this thread.

[andrea81]

Maybe he's trying to be argumentative and likes getting peoples backs up. He probably likes being devils advocate!

[weeal]

The web is a scary place, there's just no policing it properly and even if there were Cyber Cops it would be down to their own personal interpretation. It must be every parent's nightmare.
Also current violent PC games etc. The kids minds' are being warped far too young, how are they supposed to tell fact from fiction? I know of kids below the age of 4 who have watched violent films on video, who knows what affect that will have in later years.