Because apparantly, it needs to be said again.

[gaudior]

Context: So Wiscon has rescinded Elizabeth Moon's Guest of Honor invitation.* People reacted in the comments thread, many of them accusing the Wiscon committee of "fascism" and "censorship."

So let's discuss some definitions.

Censorship is the suppression of speech, usually by a governing body. It involves editing out or removing parts of

Comments

A slightly tangential question of censorship

[tiamat360]

This is by no means a critique of what you've written here, but I'm honestly curious: Do you, then, feel that the Westboro Baptist Church has the right to publicly protest at funerals? When does the line from your right to freedom of speech to impinging on someone else's rights get crossed? Is there such a line?

Re: A slightly tangential question of censorship

[shipperamy]

After reading the post, my thinking is that the behavior in your example crosses the line of not doing something for someone, to doing something to someone. I really like the for/to idea as a guideline for determining, "Is this an honest expression of opinion that will generate thought and discussion, or just disruptive behavior?"

Re: A slightly tangential question of censorship

[gaudior]

I really like the for/to idea as a guideline for determining, "Is this an honest expression of opinion that will generate thought and discussion, or just disruptive behavior?"

Thank you! But I think I should clarify. I didn't mean just "is this just disruptive behavior" vs "an honest expression of opinion?" I think that can be subjective-- the Westboro Baptists would probably be quick to explain that they are just honestly expressing their opinion, and plenty of people would have called, for example, the sit-ins of the American Civil Rights Movement "just disruptive behavior."

I was going more for "is this preventing the person from expressing themself" vs "is this just not encouraging the person to express themself?" Are you actively working to make it impossible for the person to write those words, or are you just not providing them with an audience?

Re: A slightly tangential question of censorship

[gaudior]

Do you, then, feel that the Westboro Baptist Church has the right to publicly protest at funerals? When does the line from your right to freedom of speech to impinging on someone else's rights get crossed? Is there such a line?Good question. My line is where (as I understand it) the law puts it: you don't have the right to lie about someone in a way which will harm them, and you don't have the right to explicitly threaten someone. Beyond that, anything goes

[gaudior]

Yes! Well said to you, too! Thank you.

She has a right to speak, but being honoured isn't a right.

This, yes! A lot of people seem to be taking it as "since she was asked, being GoH is something which Moon is owed." I think your example of the engagement is a very useful one.

[juldea]

I shall be linking to this post in various places.

[gaudior]

Grin, and thank you very much!

Moon's actual piece.

[anonymous]

You linked to her piece. But did you actually read it? Your reply leaves that in question.

Re: Moon's actual piece.

[gaudior]

Hi, and thanks for posting! May I have some sort of name to call you by? Otherwise, I won't be able to tell the difference between you and any other person who comments anonymously. It doesn't need to be a livejournal username or a real name, feel free to make up a username, but I don't want to get confused between you and anyone else without a name.

Once I have something to call you, I will be very glad to answer your comment!

[plasticsturgeon]

Good for Wiscon.