He who pays the bills, I would have thought.
He who pays the bills, I would have thought.
I love the way those who believe any forum should be completely open to all postings, no matter how much drivel is spewed, always - but always - shout to the rafters “freedom of expression”!Originally Posted by Yraen
Do these self-same arbiters of freedom always fail to realise that, as with all freedoms, freedom of expression comes with obligations and responsibilities which in virtually all societies do impose certain restrictions? It is perfectly incorrect to say that anyone can say/write anything they want. The rights of others have also to be taken into consideration. As does the law. There is already a prohibition on discussion on one such issue here – and rightly so, in my view. So if there is already one prohibition, a rule has surely been broken and the door is therefore open for others.
Legal systems in various countries do not permit freedom of speech to conflict with certain other rights and freedoms. These usually include libel, slander, pornography and obscenity. Where a legal system might permit one or more of these limitations, social approbation can also be a reason for limiting freedom of speech.
In a forum dedicated to gay men and frequently their sexual and other activities, I guess it’s hard to play the pornography and obscenity cards. Whatever is written, I reckon it’s unlikely any member is going to sue for libel or slander. Sue whom?
So that leaves the social approbation route. In that case, it seems to me that where a majority of members, active or otherwise, vociferously disapprove of a certain continuing content or continuing manner of posting, then the freedom of speech argument is plainly as dead as the Monty Python parrot.
I would add to fountainhalls' piece. Freedom of expression does not mean you are entitled to write anything you want anywhere you want. It means you can set up your own place and publish there if you choose to.
a447 (November 7th, 2016), christianpfc (November 9th, 2016)
It's ridiculous to suggest there ought to be an "arbiter of truth", and we don't need to look too far in the past to realise it's even more ridiculous to suggest that it ought to automatically be "he who pays the bills". The last owner would not have recognised the truth if he had found it in Monty's chicken soup (but by the grace of God he found salmonella instead).
The board thrives on opinion and one man's truth is often another man's bare faced lie.
Latin-gate is not an issue of truth or fiction. For those of us who spoke out, it's a matter of whether SGT is a discussion board which occasionally includes sexual content within posts or whether it's a pornographic S&M erotica board on which one single member either plays out his deviant sexual fantasies or constantly relates his deviant sexual activities (take your pick).
Of course the final arbiters of what is permissible (as opposed to judging what's "the truth") is the Admin team - but that rightly does not preclude members from expressing a view
francois (November 6th, 2016)
I would like to see more members actually coming down on one side or another. I therefore urge every member to make a decision on this and make that decision public, whichever side you agree with. Perhaps those of us who want Latin gone will be surprised how many disagree with us. No matter. still climb off the fence and make your views known.
It's immaterial to me whether he stays or not. More pertinent surely is no-one should be allowed continuously to post such filthy, racist (yes, they are racist), imperialist, sadistic, demeaning comments. Taken together, these have no place in the right of freedom of expression.
Let him stay. I don't know if he is speaking the truth or not, but there are many sadomasochistics who are despicable but, nonetheless,may be speaking the truth. If anything just ignore or not respond to anything he posts or just vomit.
Probably trolling and most likely getting off on anything and everything that is posted about him. But, at the same time, I don't recall him posting anything detrimental or slanderous toward any members of this forum?
In the past there have been some posters such as Neal and LMTU who were totally nasty in their posts.
Thus, Francois is off the fence.
christianpfc (November 9th, 2016)
If you're forcing to "choose a side", then for me, I sad latin stays. Not because I like the guy, but because I have various principles that are far more important to me than whether or not I like latin's posts.
First, I think some of you are making a mountain out of a molehill. Is this really that important to you and your life?
Second, I don't agree with mob mentality, and if you yell loud enough you can get your own way.
Third, it's a slippery slope. What happens if you're successful in getting banned, then later on the mob turns against you? I know several members would love to see me banned, because they think I'm full of lies, and don't even reside in Thailand. Who's to say I'm not next on the chopping block?
Fourth, latin hasn't broken any board forum rules.
Fifth, this is a privately run board, and Surfcrest and Moses will run it as they see fit. This isn't a democracy.
Sixith, sometimes it's good to be reminded of the cruel and disturbed individuals out there, because it helps ensure you stay on the cortrrect path, and continue to strive to be a good person.
PS. Sorry for all the typos. Tired, and screen reader can't keep up.
christianpfc (November 9th, 2016)
I have had one nagging question for Latin since this thread was started. Latin has provided a young man with a place to stay and in return the young man must participate, against his will, in some very disturbed activities for one hour a day.
Thus far, the young man has kept his word.
Now, at some point Latin is going to run out of disturbing and humiliating sexual acts to subject this young man to. Further, at some point the "thrill" will be gone...
So what then? Will the young man still be allowed to continue staying in the room that you provide him after you become bored and tired of him? Will he be allowed to continue staying in the room that you provide him after your interest wanes?
Or will you kick him out because you lose interest?
TaoR: Exactly. So either it's true in which case that's lovely stuff on a public forum or it isn't true in which case why is he writing it. A genuine heads I win tails you lose case Latin.
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