On Thu, 11 Jun 2009 11:55:48 -0400, alphaQuad wrote:

> The plague of mankind will try to silence someone when his or her meager
> intellect is threatened by a new idea. Like the Jews wanted Jesus
> silenced, like Warp and Jim Henderson want me silenced. And apparently
> it is the Truth that is most unacceptable to these types.

Congratulations, you get one reply from me in this thread as well.

You completely misunderstand me.  I don't really care what you say one 
way or another UNTIL you start taking shots at individuals and engaging 
in personal attacks that violate the rules and community standards of 
this server.

I may think what you have to say about flouride and the pharmaceutical 
industry is ridiculous, but (and prepare yourself, because this is 
unlikely to happen again) you're right, you do have the right to hold 
those opinions, and in the US, I'll absolutely defend your right to say 
what you want even if I think it's ridiculous or foolish.  You want to 
make a fool out of yourself in public, go right ahead.

When you (or anyone for that matter) starts engaging in personal attacks, 
though, then I expect actions to be taken in order to deal with those 
violations.  Otherwise, what's the point of having the rules?  As Chris 
wrote in the rules for this forum, you're an invited guest here, and 
there is an expectation that you will behave accordingly.

You have not behaved accordingly, and so I have made my opinion known 
that you have violated these rules and that appropriate action must be 
taken for the sake of the community.

Your right to say what you want stops at my nose.  So stop with the 
personal attacks.  I'll be happy to ignore you when you post things that 
I find to be ridiculous, and everyone can be happy.

What's more, this is not a "public forum" that is required to protect the 
US concept of free speech.  First, the server is based in Australia, but 
even if it were in the US, US law and the courts have upheld the right 
for operators of places where people can gather to set and enforce 
community standards.

That's why, while you have the right to yell "fire" in a crowded theater 
when there is no fire, you also are subject to the consequences of 
violating laws pertaining to the incitement of people.

Similarly, when you say things in a forum that violate that forum's 
rules, don't be surprised if there are consequences to violating those 
rules.  Why?  Because you're an invited guest, and this isn't a piece of 
public property.  It's a privately owned server and the owner of the 
server has the legal right (both in the US and, I expect, under 
Australian law) to enforce the rules as they see fit.

Again, this is my last post directly to you in this thread.  I will not 
be drawn into a debate with you.  If my opinion angers you, sorry about 
that.  <shrug>  Just go back and re-read your first post in your last 
thread and implement what you learned about managing anger and just walk 
away from it.

Jim

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