Should DU curtail free speech during this campaign time?

[sweetheart]

In the next several weeks, the world will decide the outcome of a
global civil war in the november poll, and like it or not, DU is a critical agent.

For some old DU'ers who've already discussed and flamed about
all things under the sun, this is no news, yet another generation of
DU wants to break open some taboo areas, that are divisive and lead
a visitor to DU to be concerned about the divisiveness on the board.

This leads to my question. You don't have the right to shout fire
in a theatre... and should you have the right to plug or spread doubt
on a surrogate campaign website like DU? The first amendment
guarantees us free speech, some might say. If the fratboy pukes win
this next poll, this very right could come in to question as they
consolidate their theocracy. However the words "watch what you say"
make my skin crawl, as i'm sure they do for many of y'all.

Yet, diplomatically speaking, perhaps being deeply considerate of
how your post can be used and read by the opposition in this election
time, is wise to consider before pressing "post message". Our
collective voice MUST be heard this november by a Kerry win. There
will be no second chance.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

1. DU is a private enterprise and as such has no obligation to let people

post whatever they wish. That said, debate should be tolerated and spirited.

In my view, admin does a great job of getting rid of those that would work against us and the mission of this site (which is 86'ing 43) while still allowing people to disagree about specifics.

I say let them keep doing what they are doing..in my view it is working.

[sweetheart]

4. Mods are doing an excellent job

I only am concerned that the people are vigilant to post wisely.

It is working... and as november gets closer, the mods are gonna
have to stay uber-alert.

Lets kick their asses in november. :-)

peace,
-s

[SotarrTheWizard]

2. Remember this:

The First Amendment limits GOVERNMENT action, not private action. So, technically, DU has every right to curtail free speech. Especially as it's inevitable that Freepers and suchlike will pop up and troll. . .

Contrast that, with our ideological goals of freedom and liberty and justice.

It's a VERY tough balancing act.

Consider your points well. . . .

[Catch22Dem]

3. I'll never be one to watch what you say, but

If someone is here to badmouth our candidate, then they should do it somewhere else. The "D" in DemocraticUnderground stands for DEMOCRATIC, so, DU, as a whole, supports John Kerry. That's how I've always seen it.

That's why, during the infamous Dem vs. Green battles of 01-02 on DU, I always said to the greens, "you should form GreenUnderground."

[ScreamingMeemie]

5. To a point, I agree with you. I think people with real concerns with

regard to the candidate and campaign should be allowed to voice them without being attacked. I am not one to "fall in line". I am supporting Kerry, wholeheartedly, but I do and will reserve my right to question that which bothers me. Afterall, it is We the People first....:hi:

[BeFree]

6. Free speech works

If we can't handle a few questions about our man Kerry how in the world will we ever defeat the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy looking over our shoulder?

If, individually, we can't blow their arguments out of the water then maybe they have a clue which we need to examine?

Having said that, it is quite evident that there are folks here who merely wish to do the equivalent of yelling "Fire" in our theater.

The mods are doing a pretty good job of escorting them to where the sun don't shine.

Kerry On!

[Misunderestimator]

7. A very hard line to distinguish, and I think the mods here do a great job

That said... YES... we should all be aware of what we say and how it might be taken from those that are not here for the same purpose (that being getting the fungus out of power). As for censoring, I think that the site is doing a tremendously good job of weeding out the disruptors, and we should all be alerting on them when we have a suspicion (letting the monitors decide). Lately, there have been a lot of clever new members who post innocuous responses to threads in order to get their post counts up to then seem somehow reputable to us. Then out of the blue, you will see them post something mildly suspicious, but defend themselves with their past posts. Don't be fooled.

You're right, there is no second chance. I, for one, will consider leaving this country if Bush is elected as our president. I am ALL for censorship on this site, and so far as I have witnessed, it is done appropriately.

[Khephra]

8. No offense to my friends in ADMIN

But sweetheart, if you didn't know it, there's a lot of new restrictions on what you can and can't say about Kerry and Edwards since the primaries ended. I understand, but if you say the wrong thing you'll get your thread locked as flamebait.

[H2O Man]

9. Abbie Hoffman warned us

about those who would yell "theater" in a crowded fire. Having said that, I agree people should think before they speak.

[Moderator]

10. I'm locking this thread

please refer all questions and suggestions
to the Ask The Administration Forum.

Thanks