Book-Banning

[plinsenmayer at yahoo.com]

Original Yahoo! HPFG Header:
No: HPFGUIDX C946
From: plinsenmayer
Subject: Re: Book-Banning
Reply To: [Yahoo! #934] Re: Book-Banning
Date: 4/4/00 3:52 pm  (ET)

Hi:

<My objection was that banning a poster from this club was considered a
solution. My point being that censorship is censorship, no matter who
does it -- even when it is done by the people who are on the "right"
side of an issue.>

I do agree with you -- banning a poster from our club is (a) definitely
censoring the person's free speech, (b) pointless since, as Voicelady
pointed out in a later post, a "banned" person can always continue
to rejoin the club another yahoo id, and (c) a measure that ought
not to be taken lightly at all. I think Skimmel merely suggested it
as a "possibility" -- a "last resort" (or at least that's the only
circumstances in which I would endorse it). Believe me -- ask anyone on
some of my other listserve groups -- I am nothing if not a huge proponent
of free speech and the First Amendment in general!

I've been in other listserve groups where a certain minority disliked
a particular topic and tried to shut everyone up. There's nothing more
infuriating to me than to have someone stifle the conversation!

On the other hand, I was one of the first ones to get all worked up
about "Mr Beckhorn." I think the reason does have largely to do with my
perception of this as a fan-based message board. It's one thing if you
and I, both fans of HP, have a disagreement about a character's actions,
an interpretation of one of the books, etc. But, it's quite another
to have to contend with anti-HP individuals in an environment that was
set up to promote discussions among fans of the books. Or, at least my
perception has all along been that the purpose of this club is for HP
fans to discuss the books. Does that make sense?

Penny (who would still prefer that the description of the club be
clarified to indicate that it is for fans of the HP books, rather than
just adults who want to talk about them)