The Observation Deck

I created this as new topic instead of directly speaking to the poster because I feel that the abortion post and butt crack post by ryan costa are inflammatory and constitute hate speech.

I know that the LO has a policy of non-censorship, but, the statements made in the two posts mentioned above are like something right out of the training manuals for the kkk, white power party and the skinheads.

I am dismayed and ashamed that someone on a lakewood community forum thinks that it is appropriate to post these kinds of things.

Mr. Costa has a solid habit of posting pure sarcasm. I read those comments in the same vein as I read Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal" and did not see them as hate speech.

Okay - but it's pretty scary to me.

Sharon, I value your opinion and I'm glad that you posted your concern. Just because I read something one way and you read it another doesn't mean that only one of us has a valid opinion.

In general, characterizing what may be sarcasm, parody, religious belief, or politically incorrect statements etc. as hate speech is what is truly scary. Better to see some off the wall writing than to be censored by enlightened elite thought controllers who are well trained in the art of marginalizing and silencing those whose opinions they hate.

I assume the writer to whom you refer is being sarcastic. Why not ask him when you see him? And, you might ask him what is a "tubal litigation"?

Frankly - Frank -

I'm very well informed on female procedures.

In addition I understand what sarcasm, humor and cynicism are.

What I don't understand is:

a. You attacking me.

b. It being acceptable to do that type of sarcastic posting on a community board that is accessible to school kids.

c. Being chastised by you for being appalled at what was posted.

d. Your tone of condencension.

Who do you think you are?

Frank Murtaugh wrote:I assume the writer to whom you refer is being sarcastic. Why not ask him when you see him? And, you might ask him what is a "tubal litigation"?

Ms. Kinsella,

Please take a breath a second and read the quote EXACTLY. Mr. Murtaugh appearred to be pointing out the error that Mr. Costa wrote. Whether intentional or not, Mr. Costa wrote LITIGATION, as in a legal proceeding.

Kevin -

You're right about that!

What had me seeing read was when he referred to me as being "elite". Also his alluding to the premise that I didn't understand satire which was beside the point.

But, I will concede the litigation/ligation comment.

Ms. Kinsella,

Regarding your "seeing red" comment, yeah, I could kind of feel you getting angry right through the computer.

I try to remember the "be careful of the words you choose, keep them soft and sweet, you'll never know from day to day, which ones you'll have to eat" saying even more so when writing them down.

I often read Mr. Costa's comments and wonder just what color the sky is in his world. I choose not to interact with him as it seems like he writes things that are so off the wall that the reason must be to irritate others. I don't know the man but I'm guessing that he enjoyed getting you worked up.

In retrospect, do you really want to start restricting what can be said. The library is loaded with books that children can access but we don't censor what can be there. That strikes me as a slippery slope that we must avoid.

Regarding your "dismayed and ashamed" comment, I can understand your dismay. You certainly have no reason to be ashamed over the actions of someone else.

Take care.

sharon kinsella wrote:I created this as new topic instead of directly speaking to the poster because I feel that the abortion post and butt crack post by ryan costa are inflammatory and constitute hate speech.

I know that the LO has a policy of non-censorship, but, the statements made in the two posts mentioned above are like something right out of the training manuals for the kkk, white power party and the skinheads.

I am dismayed and ashamed that someone on a lakewood community forum thinks that it is appropriate to post these kinds of things.

Sharon

In the end we are framed and defined by our words and deeds.

peace


.

Sharon,
My comments were not directed at you personally but meant to express my concern about what seems to be an increased use of the term "hate speech". I have seen "hate speech", for example, used on deck to describe what was simply a reference to a commonly held religious belief.

Frank -

I can understand what you're saying - but as you know - the articles I was referencing were not about religion.

Hate speech, like hate crimes are ones that are directed at people because of race, age, sex, sexual orientation or religion. I would hope we would not be quiet about those kinds of activities. Hate speech quite often incites hate crimes, that is why it is important to call it when you see it.

Remember the old poem "First they came for the Jews and I said nothing"?

I don't ever want to be that person.

sharon kinsella wrote:Frank -

I can understand what you're saying - but as you know - the articles I was referencing were not about religion.

Hate speech, like hate crimes are ones that are directed at people because of race, age, sex, sexual orientation or religion. I would hope we would not be quiet about those kinds of activities. Hate speech quite often incites hate crimes, that is why it is important to call it when you see it.

Remember the old poem "First they came for the Jews and I said nothing"?

I don't ever want to be that person.

Yes, and I also remember the story about "the boy who cried wolf".

So I see some are into supporting Ryan Costa's right to say the ugly things he said (editorial comment included).

I have the right to respond and give my own editorial comment on what he said.

If there is no censorship across the board, then that should apply to my comments as well. T

sharon kinsella wrote:So I see some are into supporting Ryan Costa's right to say the ugly things he said (editorial comment included).

I have the right to respond and give my own editorial comment on what he said.

If there is no censorship across the board, then that should apply to my comments as well. T

Nobody is censoring you....unless there are comments that were once there and went poof.