[RP TownTalk] Clarification: Censorship = Bad ...Free Speech = Good

[Laureys, Ken R.]

Just a clarification to all TownTalk participants -- 
 
It was not Susan's posting I was replying to (below), but some previous ones where folks were worried about the suitability of electoral politics being discussed in such a forum.  Sorry for the mis-impression I unfortunately conveyed -- Susan's posting just happened to be the one I received when I had the time to pitch-in my two cents.  
 
I want the same thing that most others I've heard want -- the continued existence of a electronic forum to discuss/offer/debate all matters involving Riverdale Park, including political ones.  The specific solution of using the "TownTalk" forum is certainly OK (in lieu of POGOS) with me.  The Town's jurisdiction over the TownTalk electronic forum should be no problem, as the expression of residents' opinions online is no different from similar expresssions the town condones through Letters to the Editor in the TownCrier, or the verbal opinions residents express during the public comments at the Council sessions.
 
Agreeably yours,
Ken Laureys

-----Original Message-----
From: Laureys, Ken R. 
Sent: Monday, September 12, 2005 1:54 PM
To: 'TownTalk at riverdale-park.org'
Subject: Censorship = Bad ...Free Speech = Good



Censorship = Bad ...

Free Speech = Good
 
Disgruntled readers can counteract what they dislike by making a counter-argument, and letting other readers decide themselves to agree, disagree, or just hit the delete button.  
 
Please keep this ListServe open to all matters pertaining to Riverdale Park.
 
Censorship is OK only for irresponsible speech -- e.g., vulgarities, slander, commercial hawking, falsely yelling "fire" in a crowded theater, etc.
 
That's my 2 cents!
 
Ken Laureys

-----Original Message-----
From: pogos-bounces at clarimetry.com [mailto:pogos-bounces at clarimetry.com]On Behalf Of HINES, SUSAN
Sent: Monday, August 29, 2005 1:06 PM
To: ABragg7393 at aol.com; pogos at clarimetry.com; TownTalk-request at riverdale-park.org
Subject: RE: [pogos] Re: [RP TownTalk] Ward 1 race


I think both Roland and Audrey make good points. It would be too bad to loose subscribers to any list, especially if people from other wards grow tired of all the Ward 1 talk. Yet, list serves are a quick and easy way for voters and interested citizens to follow the race. However, if it takes place online, I think Q&A between citizens and the candidates should be limited to just one list so people won't be confused about where to look and so the stream of the conversation is consistent and more easily followed. Perhaps the candidates could cooperate on that?
 
Of course at this point, any Ward 1 resident could follow the Mayor's lead and endorse the candidate of their choice online just as they are free to post a sign in their yard. And as Audrey points out, Ward 1 is a source of interest to everyone in the town not just people--like the mayor and myself--who will soon be voting for a new council person.
 
Susan Hines

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