An Unpopular Opinion.
I have some things to say regarding Strikeout 2007 and it's probably not going to make me the most popular person around here.
I don't blame Warriors for Innocence for this mess. I know there are many on Livejournal, and even my friend's list who will say that they are a radical bunch with no authority that just needs to butt out. And that's fine. You're all entitled to your opinions.
However. I take a bit of a different stance. Aside from the fact that they are trying to rid the Internet of potential predators, I know nothing about them at all. I've read from various posters on LJ that they are uber-religious, anti-gay, racists, etc. That may be true, it could be wild accusations--I honestly don't know. I do believe they are trying to protect children.
And I do believe that it takes more than law enforcement to do this. I volunteered with the local sexual assault center for several years, as well as various school related victim's advocacy groups in college. I work at a domestic violence shelter. And even with all of these groups in existence all over the world, millions of kids are still abused every day. It takes a village to protect a child. And quite frankly if even one child was kept safe by this entire LJ mess...well, it's hard to be bitter about that.
Now, I am certainly NOT saying that I agree with the deletion of fandom journals and RPG journals and communities discussing literature, etc.
From the official statement: Further, because of miscommunication these journals were taken down before review could be completed to avoid mistakes.
They took them down because they don't have a staff big enough to check out all of the potentially dangerous LJ's. My guess is the majority, if not all, of the LJs that were NOT actually pedophilia-supporting will be restored very soon. Is it inconvenient? Yes. Is it unfair? Probably.
But try to look at it from this POV--isn't it better that a few innocent people were inconvenienced for a few days than numerous children possibly being victimized by actual pedophiles?
I love free speech. Am a firm supporter. But this isn't just about free speech. It's free speech vs. keeping kids safe from dangerous individuals. And the fact that there WERE actual pedophiles (and no doubt still are) on LJ and many got closed down? I'm sorry, but that's a very GOOD thing.
Like I said before, this probably isn't going to be a popular opinion, but it's mine.
I don't blame Warriors for Innocence for this mess. I know there are many on Livejournal, and even my friend's list who will say that they are a radical bunch with no authority that just needs to butt out. And that's fine. You're all entitled to your opinions.
However. I take a bit of a different stance. Aside from the fact that they are trying to rid the Internet of potential predators, I know nothing about them at all. I've read from various posters on LJ that they are uber-religious, anti-gay, racists, etc. That may be true, it could be wild accusations--I honestly don't know. I do believe they are trying to protect children.
And I do believe that it takes more than law enforcement to do this. I volunteered with the local sexual assault center for several years, as well as various school related victim's advocacy groups in college. I work at a domestic violence shelter. And even with all of these groups in existence all over the world, millions of kids are still abused every day. It takes a village to protect a child. And quite frankly if even one child was kept safe by this entire LJ mess...well, it's hard to be bitter about that.
Now, I am certainly NOT saying that I agree with the deletion of fandom journals and RPG journals and communities discussing literature, etc.
From the official statement: Further, because of miscommunication these journals were taken down before review could be completed to avoid mistakes.
They took them down because they don't have a staff big enough to check out all of the potentially dangerous LJ's. My guess is the majority, if not all, of the LJs that were NOT actually pedophilia-supporting will be restored very soon. Is it inconvenient? Yes. Is it unfair? Probably.
But try to look at it from this POV--isn't it better that a few innocent people were inconvenienced for a few days than numerous children possibly being victimized by actual pedophiles?
I love free speech. Am a firm supporter. But this isn't just about free speech. It's free speech vs. keeping kids safe from dangerous individuals. And the fact that there WERE actual pedophiles (and no doubt still are) on LJ and many got closed down? I'm sorry, but that's a very GOOD thing.
Like I said before, this probably isn't going to be a popular opinion, but it's mine.