[BurlyShirley]

I'm not answering your questions because that isn't the argument I got involved with, nor is it an argument I wish to get involved with. I'm at work and have too much to do to devote myself to arguing with you all day, much as I like to argue (I avoid the political forum usually just for that reason).

I made my other comments with a specific argument in mind... expanding it into a general censorship discussion will eat up the rest of my day

I'll just notch that in the "W" column then. Thanks.

 

[BigMike]

OK, First, sorry for not putting this in the Political forum first. But, like everyone that makes that mistake, it ended up here anyway

Second, I'm so glad that so many people can read my mind

I WAS offended by the van for many reasons. One of the FIRST things that popped into my head was "What about all the little kids in day care, and the children that live in the city around this school?"

I totally disagree with the "if its legal we should see it" angle. I do not think that Iraqi prisoners should be shown on TV. Like was said, the death penalty is legal, but do we see video of people in the chair getting electricuted, choking on their own tounge and throwing up in the middle of Reading Rainbow or Barney? No. Should we? No.

I don't know who funded the van, but I think that they should be taken out and beaten. Not because it offended me personally, but because of the children, because of the old people, because it is only shock appeal to try and scare people into voting for Bush.

If any of you know me personally, you know how hard I am to offend. I tell probably the most offensive jokes that most of my friends have ever heard. Who do I tell these jokes to? MY FRIENDS. People that choose to be around me, and choose to participate in the conversation. If someone doesnt like it, I'll stop, or they can leave. I dont paste the jokes on the side of my car so just anyone can go around and read them. That is what is called maturity, and respect for others.

what about the people I know that have been raped and had abortions because they were way to young and immature to have the baby. They feel bad about it every day, but know that it was the best choice because a 15 YEAR OLD is not mentally or physically ready to have a child. How do you think that makes them feel seeing this van, and somthing they did exploited.
Before I get the "well, they did it, they should be able to live with it" response, isn't there anything you've ever done that you wouldn't want plastered on the side of a van? Do you want me to take pictures of you in your most vulnerable moments and paste it on the side of a building for everyone to see and be horrified at?

I kind of went off on a tangent there, but the point is this:
I am all in favour of freedom of speech. I know going into a movie its going to be controversial. I know when I buy am Eminem CD it is going to be controversial. For those actions, I have a CHOICE in the matter, and I am prepared for it. When I am walking from class with a professor in the middle of the day on a college campus, I did not make the choice to see this, nor was I prepared.

 

[Changleen]

Not you, specifically. Our entire culture is geared around the fact that our lives are worth more than Iraqi lives, or Nicaraguan lives, or Haitian lives, etc.

'Most true and unrecognised by the general US populus' post of the day award!

 

[BurlyShirley]

OK, First, sorry for not putting this in the Political forum first. But, like everyone that makes that mistake, it ended up here anyway

Second, I'm so glad that so many people can read my mind

I WAS offended by the van for many reasons. One of the FIRST things that popped into my head was "What about all the little kids in day care, and the children that live in the city around this school?"

So, out of sight, out of mind is a good policy for you. Gotcha.

 

[BigMike]

So, out of sight, out of mind is a good policy for you. Gotcha.

Please eloborate

Do you think its good to expose kids to this kind of thing?

 

[jaydee]

I wouldn't be surprised if the Democrats paid for it to make the Republicans look even worse than they already do.