Censorship yes or no

[DSNY FN]

So in the tradition of a good thread lets start this one.
Do you think closing the DB was censorship or not ?
I say it is a form of it and as so it should be frowned upon.
What say you all?

 

[debster812]

Nope. Not censorship. The owners and admins of this board made a decision. No one forces any of us to post, read, or hang out here.

I know that folks that frequented the DB are dissapointed, but to me, no, it is not censorship.

 

[tar heel]

It's a private board. The owner and administrators can do anything they want, including banning me.

 

[DVC-Don]

Privately owned board so it is not censorship. Now if the government told Pete to close the Debate Board, that would be censorship.

 

[jimmalru80]

I say no. Thank you. Should you choose to play the game, you abide by the rules.

 

[DSNY FN]

Private yes but held on a public domain such as the internet so to me it is still censorship regardless of who is running it. If the government can't censor things why should a person who runs a publicly displayed board be able to?

 

[Kimberle]

No, this is Pete's site. He has the right to decide what he does and does not want here.

This is not owned by the gov't/taxpayers....... We don't have those "rights".

 

[BedKnobbery2]

Although I'm sad to see the DB go, I certainly don't think it is censorship.

 

[Serena]

It's Pete's board and his ball. If he says we can't play that game, we don't play it.

 

[DVC-Don]

Originally posted by DSNY FN
Private yes but held on a public domain such as the internet so to me it is still censorship regardless of who is running it. If the government can't censor things why should a person who runs a publicly displayed board be able to?

Same as a mall telling people to leave.

 

[katerkat]

No, I don't think it's censorship. I *do* think the CB is going to hate this decision, though.

 

[DSNY FN]

I agree Katerkat the CB will be our new debate home lets get the debates rolling and I still think it is being censord

 

[Carl]

No. It is not censorship, but I did visit the debate board ever now and then, so I hate to see it go.

 

[Hagred]

Nope. Not censorship. Private board, no one forces you to come here and post nor do they limit your posting to just this board.

As far as the CB is concerned, I say those who attempt to disrupt the atmosphere here should be warned and then banned. People who are obviously trying to 'get even' for the removal of the Debate Board should probably be banned without any warning.

 

[DSNY FN]

Yes and I have seen people sue the mall for doing so and win stupid as that may seem but it happens because the stores within the mall lose out when stuff like that happens and the store can then complain and lobby against the mall. So now we are here in this situation on the CB debating so the people here will be in the same boat not liking it but having to deal with the board censorship by seeing the debates on here.

 

[Beth76]

Originally posted by DSNY FN
Private yes but held on a public domain such as the internet so to me it is still censorship regardless of who is running it. If the government can't censor things why should a person who runs a publicly displayed board be able to?

DSNY FN, I agree with you. I just couldn't find the words to say it. While it may not be the exact definition of censorship, I feel it is a form of censorship. One person or group is deciding what the rest of us can and can not read.

I also feel that when radio stations "ban" certain programs or DJs, it is also a form of censorship. It is their responsibility to the public to let us have all the "information". Whether or not we choose to listen, is up to us. But, I think we should have the opportunity. Just because the owners don't like something doesn't mean the public isn't entitled to it.

 

[gina2000]

Pete pays the bills so he makes the rules. Just like a parent or any authority does. It's not censorship as long as it's a privately held consideration despite the fact that its in the public domain.

I'll miss the DB. I enjoyed reading and occasionally posting on it.

 

[Sirius]

No, it's not censorship. The owners of the board made an executive decision to close a portion of the boards that they felt were at best unproductive. Let's face it with topics like "Fluff Debate: Hamburger or Cheeseburger" they were right. The debate board accomplished little more than taking up space and creating animosity. The Community Board on the other hand brings us all together and creates a spirit that can only be called Disney.

Now, how about a group hug?

 

[oogieboogie]

Not censorship. It's a private board, and if the webmasters decide they don't want to host the DB or any other boards for that matter, it's their decision.

We are participants by choice - if we don't like their choices, there are other places we can go. The guidelines are there and if the webmasters decide to change those guidelines, then we should still abide by them.

I'm just thankful of the fact that we have these boards, where people of like mind can come and share opinions, views, observations, and connect with other people.

 

[Knight]

Originally posted by Beth76
Just because the owners don't like something doesn't mean the public isn't entitled to it.

I disagree. That's like saying that if my neighborhood likes lawn flamingoes, I should be required to put them on MY lawn because the public feels they are entitled to seeing them there. If I own it, I make the rules.