On protecting children and other bullshit excuses…

Posted on May 31, 2007 by Vinny

If I could stand up and cheer, I would. Wait, what am I talking about. Of course I can stand up and cheer. In response to a takedown by Six Apart, the parent company of LiveJournal of various incest/pedophilia fiction (disgusting, I know, stay with me folks), they said the following:

While there are stories, essays, and discussions that include discussion of these issues in an effort to understand and prevent them, others use a pretext to promote these activities. It’s often very hard to tell the difference.

One reader took issue with that quote, and rightly nailed a perfectly worded response:

Well, yeah. That’s the entire reason ideals like freedom of speech exist: because it’s not just *hard* to tell the difference between good and bad speech — it’s *impossible* to set an objective standard that everyone agrees on. So the only policy that’s safe from turning into tyranny is to allow all speech, no matter how uncomfortable it makes you. Yes, people could be harmed; yes, even children. Freedom is more important.

Well said, Dan. That is 100% correct.

Yes there’s all kinds of stuff that kids shouldn’t see, but what if I like my kids to see porn and you don’t? Whose standards do we abide by? You can’t just reflexively say the most restrictive one because who are you to make standards for everyone?

Yes, sometimes your kids will see something that hurts them. You can try and shield your kids and I will help you do that. I’m all for parents controlling their own destinies, but I’m also all about you keeping your standards inside your four walls and behind your front door. Once your standards start impeding my right to view content I want, then your standards are oppressive and tyrannical, content notwithstanding.

It really is that simple.

via Boing Boing

Technorati Tags: free speech, morality

 

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  • Bridget
    My DH and I were having a very similar discussion last night. We used gay marriage as an example of our differing views (he's for it, I'm against it). Everyone has their own standards, and everyone has their own set of morals. This country is so big and diversified that we are not going to be able to please everyone, we are not going to be able to keep everyone from being offended. So how do we solve it? Majority rules. It's why we have votes. And this country's majority elected to have free speech. In most states an issue comes up (i.e. gay marriage), it is put to a vote. Everyone has the opportunity to vote (provided they do it legally) and let their voice be heard. Now if 85% of the state's population is against gay marriage, should the state legalize it to appease the 15% who are for it? Again, majority rules. That 15% is going to be offended. They are going to cry foul and that their rights are being trampled on. But this is just one of many examples I could use that will show that not everyone is going to be happy. Same with free speech. When this country was founded the majority wanted free speech. Majority ruled. Are there going to be people offended by what they hear and what they see (i.e. Don Imus and O&A). However, these people that are not part of the majority who are so utterly offended have the right to turn their attention somewhere else. They have the right to turn the channel, walk away, or even debate it verbally. It's their right. But an individual's self-perceived right does not trump the collective rights of the majority and how they voted.

    Not sure if I made sense on any of that as I am still quite tired (was a long night). Yes, I find porn offensive. No, I do not want my children exposed to it - in public, in private, on the internet, in magazines, etc. However, it is a type of free speech. I can not completely control what my children are exposed to when we leave my property. But, like you said, in my house I have the right to protect them as I see fit (i.e. internet and television parental controls). Not everyone is going to agree with how protective I am. That is their right to disagree. And it is their right to raise THEIR children how they want. It is not their right to tell me how to raise my children.
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