First off, let me say that I can appreciate good humor. I can also appreciate bad humor. I have been the brunt of Mormon jokes, Republican jokes, bohunk jokes, men jokes, long hair jokes, the list goes on. I have not, however, been offended by them or hurt by them in any way. Why? Because I understand that humor is about reflection, not derision. Humor, whatever its form, is our way of reflecting unto ourselves the social graces, disgraces, dignities, indignities, personalities, failures, triumphs, falsehoods and realities that make us who we are.
If we laugh at something that is not in good taste, does that constitute senseless negativity?
I don’t believe in the theory that we must be protected from negative influences, rather, I believe that our strength comes from the ability to recognize those influences, learn what lessons we can from them, and cast them away forever. It is these interactions with and about our fallibility that strengthens us and makes us better people. If we cannot voice what is inside us, how can we be honest with ourselves or those around us? And who better to learn these lessons with than our friends and family?
I have dedicated a large part of my life endeavoring to make the world around me a better place. Whether it be through politics, community service, or just plain constructive conversation, one thread binds everything that I do or believe in, and that is the freedom of thought, and as an extension of those thoughts, the freedom of speech. Of all the laws of our land, and of all the gifts given me from above, I hold that freedom most dear. Without that freedom, our actions, our beliefs, our very selves, belong to someone else.
Harvey*, I have never participated willingly in a content moderated newsgroup or mailing list, and never will. I never received the impression that this mailing list would fall into that category, though it is certainly your right to operate it that way if you choose to do so. I urge you, however, not to, because if you do, you will find that it stifles the opinions of others and creates a medium for your own beliefs, rather than a free exchange of thought.
My intent never has and never will be to offend others, but my intent is always to force others to think. Being liked, or not, has never been my concern. (I think that comes from my mother.) But if I leave the room having engaged others in constructive conversation, knowing that I have stimulated meaningful thought, then I leave the room happy. Even if it means not being invited back.
Below are some links to a couple groups that promote both freedom of speech and the responsibility that goes with it. If you are interested, please check them out.
http://www.eff.org/blueribbon.html
http://www.zondervan.com/green.htm
-Wisdom
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