A note on Free Speech
I posted something similar to this in my own journal, but I decided to write it differently, here, taking into consideration the relationship of LJ to Free Speech.
For a breakdown of the First Amendment, go here.
When Brad first started LiveJournal, he agreed to abide by the rules the government must abide by; e.g., not to restrict free speech except as already dictated by federal law (in other words, you can't incite a riot, or engage in hate speech, etc.). As we all know, upon selling LJ to SixApart, restrictions on free speech were increased, especially after Memorial Day 2007. After SUP acquired LJ, things got even worse.
This, however, never has applied, and was never meant to apply, to individual journals or communities.
Individual journals and communities have ALWAYS retained the right to restrict membership and/or comments. Think of your LJ as your "virtual living room"; you wouldn't let just anyone come waltzing through the door to orate, right? You would especially not allow the annoying neighbor kid down the street free access to, say, stand in your living room and scream colourful metaphors at you and your family.
Since when did support of free speech mean that folks no longer can set boundaries on what they will tolerate in their journals and communities?
It never did, and it never will. WE always retained the personal right to place limits on the materials in posts and/or comments.
Whatever you do, remember this, especially when some troll kiddie comes along screaming "censorship" because they're not allowed to post here (and believe me, there are many; without mentioning names, they're primarily the supporters of a couple notorious individuals).
I just wanted to make this clear before what is truly Free Speech is distorted any further.
For a breakdown of the First Amendment, go here.
When Brad first started LiveJournal, he agreed to abide by the rules the government must abide by; e.g., not to restrict free speech except as already dictated by federal law (in other words, you can't incite a riot, or engage in hate speech, etc.). As we all know, upon selling LJ to SixApart, restrictions on free speech were increased, especially after Memorial Day 2007. After SUP acquired LJ, things got even worse.
This, however, never has applied, and was never meant to apply, to individual journals or communities.
Individual journals and communities have ALWAYS retained the right to restrict membership and/or comments. Think of your LJ as your "virtual living room"; you wouldn't let just anyone come waltzing through the door to orate, right? You would especially not allow the annoying neighbor kid down the street free access to, say, stand in your living room and scream colourful metaphors at you and your family.
Since when did support of free speech mean that folks no longer can set boundaries on what they will tolerate in their journals and communities?
It never did, and it never will. WE always retained the personal right to place limits on the materials in posts and/or comments.
Whatever you do, remember this, especially when some troll kiddie comes along screaming "censorship" because they're not allowed to post here (and believe me, there are many; without mentioning names, they're primarily the supporters of a couple notorious individuals).
I just wanted to make this clear before what is truly Free Speech is distorted any further.