I think I get this TMTM. The rule exists, so it must be applied. So, and bear with me here, I am treading into your waters now, we can liken the mods to the DA’s office for Forumosa City. When a case lands in your lap that is conten, contens, (damn) contentious (sp?), you decide whether or not to press charges?
The case is brought before the kanga, ooops Star Chamber and that’s the jury of the accused’s peers, right so far? Of course Judge (and Mayor) Maoman presides and can at anytime, overrule.
Given the immutable laws of disclosure (Under Suspension,etc moniker), the press gets wind of it ( in this case “Scoop” Josefus) and the case is opened to public scrutiny and opinion (that’s us, btw).
So who is the accused’s defender. We know JC ain’t available. He died. Who’s a Screaming Jesus gonna call.
Gumper, Gumper and Gumper. Attorneys at Virtual Law at your services. Here’s my card.
Ladiers and Gentlemen of the jury. My client pushes the envelope. He seeks to incite. But I have always taken his remarks with the irony intended, one such that the very nature of forum posting usually misses. Sarcasm is often miscontrued as a canard, and malicious personal agendas often successfully masquerade as constructive criticism. In short, forum posting is often reduced to the basest basics of comprehension. Subtlety and Wit are often lost. Please, remember, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, the pun is mightier than the sword. I submit that my client’s intention was not malicious, ergo hateful. He seeks to deepen the conversation, taking it levels that some and yes, maybe most, dare not travel. It has often been said, so much so to the point of near cliche, that I may not agree with what he says, but I’ll defend his right to say it with my life. Okay, maybe only in America, but I digress. Fucking Americans. Always making me digress. I hate Americans.
Did you catch the Subtlety, Irony and Wit there?
Well, if you don’t like what someone has to say, Forumosa City has made it very easy for the common citizen to remedy that. The Ignore Button is back.
I rest my case.
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Later, on the virtual steps of the virtual courthouse:
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Ladies and Gentlemen of the press, I have a short statement, and then I’ll entertain your questions. Yes, of course I am confident the Star Chamber will re-instate. But I would like to say one thing: While I admire DA Tigerman’s zeal to apply the laws fairly, this was a test case and the DA’s Modpartment should not be discouraged or dissuaded from the quest to form a more perfect forum. The rule of law is all we have to live by in this, the only truly “Free” society on the planet, The Great and Proud Forumosa City. My client is a handful sometimes. (pause for nervous laughter) But DA Tigerman looked at the offending posts in terms too black and white. I encourage the DA’s Modpartment to consider the grey shades before pressing charges.
I would also like to applaud the courage of DA Tigerman’s openess with the public. If it weren’t for the Press Conference he held on 4/1/05 at 10:23 AM:
[quote=“Tigerman”]Folks,
There have been several discussions in the past, and one quite recently, regarding SJ’s posts and racist posts in general.
None of the moderators have defended SJ’s right to post controversial statements more than I have.
None of the mods have argued more strenuously than I have that racist statements must be also hateful in order for them to be prohibited. I have argued this point with the administration and with other mods.
However, yesterday SJ posted a statement suggesting that funds be raised to pay inventors to develop a plague to be used in black Africa. He followed it up with something along the lines of this helping to achieve some particular end.
I took offense at that suggestion, and applied the Rule against such statements when I proposed the ban. The relevant Rule states:
I don’t know how many times I have argued with other mods and with the administration that for this Rule to apply, the statement must be hateful. IMO, suggesting that a good way to deal with black Africa would be to develop and release a plague there is an example of hateful, racist bigotry.
The mods will begin debating whether or not to ban SJ, and then we will vote.
If SJ is banned, he will be free to register again under a new name… and I hope he does (if he is banned), because I too enjoy many of his posts.
But, even while I would permit hateful racist bigotry on my site (if I had a site) so that the same could be rebutted, this is not my site and we have fairly explicit Rules. One of those Rules applies directly to a post SJ made yesterday.
I trust you will all understand why I have proposed the ban.[/quote]
Although I admire such candor and let’s just say it, plain balls out guts, I fear that little secret society, the kanga, oooops, Star Chamber, won’t. I truly hope it doesn’t hurt DA Tigerman’s career, but if it does, I’d like him to know that the door is always open at Gumper, Gumper and Gumper, Attorneys at Virtual Law. Here’s my card. (pause for heart-felt laughter and much murmmering)
Okay, let’s have your questions.
Security!
BTW, I am not a real lawyer. Don’t you all feel like…
April’s Forumosan Fools?
