User blog:Doc (K-)Flux(7)/Free Speech- How it applies to us, and how we should use it

Once upon a time, there was a church called Westboro Baptist Church.

You may have heard of it. I sure have.

For those of you who are unenlightened, Westboro Baptist Church is an independent church, which is not affiliated with any actual denomination (despite their name.) They are known for protesting against homosexuals, abortion, and America in general (such as picketing at soldier's funerals.)

My first thought was, "What idiots! What vile creatures! Despite what anyone believes about homosexuals, abortion, or America, there is a time and a place for speaking, and we should be kind and tolerant to those we do not agree with! They give a bad name to all Christians! They should be forced to stop!"

Many years later, I have come to an interesting and controversial opinion.

No, an interesting and controversial fact:

Westboro Baptist Church is beautiful.

They are not beautiful for what they stand for, they are not beautiful for their picketing and slurs. I despise that.

They are beautiful for what they do.

Free speech.

This cult, oddly enough, is one I support due to their perfect example of what free speech truly is.

If Westboro Baptist Church were to be forced to stop, it would show to all nations, to our own country, that our constitution and fundamental liberties are subject to exceptions created by the government.

If America strays from the constitution and forces them to stop, they are prohibiting free speech.

It's as simple as that. Differing opinions are what makes people, people.

Take that away, and we're slaves to the government, and their fake security and freedom.

Unfortunately, immorality is not equivocally in amount to that of unconstitutionality.

When America finally silences WBC, we have silenced free speech.

Once America has censored free speech, quite frankly, we're screwed.

So, what does this mean for us? We're an internet group. We're not subject to any constitution.

But, nay, we are.

The internet is free speech incarnate.

Well, not incarnate. That means in the flesh, and the internet isn't a person.

The internet is free speech inmachineate.

That's better.

If the internet was monitored, if every website was subject to the same rules, we wouldn't be the internet.

We would be the government's handiwork, its drones.

That's why each website is subject to it's own set of rules, and the person who created or runs the website is in charge of creating and monitoring the rules.

Now, let's put this into our perspective.

Take wikia for example.

Wikia has its own rules, its own regulations.

Each wiki is subject to these rules that Wikia created, but the creators of the wikis can create their own rules as long as they are within the compliance of Wikia's original rules.

And this means no exceptions.

Now, what in the livin' 'eck does WBC have to do with Wikia, and from our perspective our own LMBWiki?

Well, quite a lot actually.

Let's take chat for example.

(Yup, your gut feeling was right, this is directed at the chatters.)

Now, we ain't 'Murica.

A lot of us are Americans, but we still are not Ameirca.

(Sorry about using America, South Americans. For future reference, when I say America, I'm referring to the better one.)

'''Our chat has its own rules. Among many things, we can't cuss or use obvious innuendo in chat.'''

Saying, "There are young children here, so we can't" is a valid reason. Morality, and all that crap. It's the considerate thing to do, although many of them shouldn't be on here according to Wikia's all-encompasing rules.

HOWEVER,

PM is the tricky subject here. Can we use any form of words or phrases if both people are consenting, and won't bring it to public chat? Should admins be allowed to monitor PMs?

There are many differing opinions about this on this wiki. (And I'm not going to go to far into my personal opinion, as I'm not even active, and I really couldn't care less what happens here. I'm only here to present a few facts, and help you guys out a bit.)

I can't answer this question for you.

However, I can tell you who can.

The admins can't.

The CMs can't.

Drew sure as heck can't.

'''This wiki *should* be run as a democracy, not an anarchy. ('''Keep in mind, not all anarchies are bad.)

So, who then?

You.

If the admins have any common sense at all, they will let the public decide.

These choices, these decisions, are important and involve everyone.

All I can tell you, is that when what can be said in PM is revoked, pretty soon you will have no voice to speak out. No way to protest in the future, when bigger decisions come.

Let the public decide.

So what's the point of all this? Me to dictate what you do? Me to force my opinions down your throat? '''Nein. Ne. Bù. Non. Ohee. Nei.'''

No.

I just want you guys to keep this mind, when stupid arguments such as what is going on now rolls by.

This will surely happen again. These disagreements, these fights.

But all passes, everything ends.

I just want you guys to keep these thoughts in mind as you go about your things here.

Couple disclaimers:


 * In no way am I pointing out anyone in any specific way. If any of these characteristic or personality traits I've outlined apply to you, it's not personally dictated towards you.


 * Also, Drew is awesome. Drew, buddy, you're a great admin. If we ever needed to have one leader, I would choose you. You are a leader among us, and many people treat you as the SMC. However, you can't make these decisions yourself. Please, on behalf of the people, let them decide. Also, I am aware that your other blog wasn't a set in stone rule maker. I know, believe me. But you give of the aura of "Guys, this is the crud that's about to go down, listen up." Use this to grow the wiki, not to dictate it. Not saying you do, but power does lead to risky and not-very-good choices. And quite frankly speaking, you have the most influence in this entire wiki. G'd luck, mate.

And that's about it.

Cya 'round, and Good Luck.