From: mcsdc1jpb@dct.ac.uk (john bell)
Newsgroups: alt.censorship
Subject: Re: I've just been repremanded by net.big.brother
Date: 18 Dec 92 12:57:37 GMT
Followup-To: alt.censorship
Organization: Dundee Institute of Technology

In article <1992Dec11.155303.5068@lynx.dac.northeastern.edu>, awells@lynx.dac.northeastern.edu (Andrew V. Wells) writes:
> I just received this scolding from a net official at my
> university:
> 
>>From XXXXXX Thu Dec 10 20:37:25 1992
>>Subject: language on internet
>>To: awells (Andrew V. Wells)
>>Date: Thu, 10 Dec 92 EST
>>From:XXXXXXXXXXX
>>Andy,
>>	It has come to my attention that a number of complaints have
>>been posted and mailed to Northeastern relative the the content of some
>>recent postings to the internet from your account. While neither DAC or
>>the University have any intention of restricting free speech, there are
>>standards for reasonable conduct. Obscenities and name calling reflect
>>badly on this University especially in a world wide forum. In the
>>future, please refrain from using such offensive language; it
>>contributes nothing to any kind of discussion. 
>>Thank you.
>>XXXXXXXXXXXX
>>A net official
> ------------------End of letter-------------------------
> 
> Doesn't this constitute a subtle form of censorship? I've always
> thought that what are pejoratively refered to as "obscenities" 
> can be a valid expression of anger and revulsion, given what a
> #$%*&!!#$@& world we live in. There have also been attacks on
> the use of "obscenities" in Rap music, with the thought police
> wanting to put "parental advisory" stickers on the albums. This
> is indeed a real and clever form of censorship, as many of the
> owners of large-chain shopping malls [mauls?], (where most people
> buy their cassettes and CD's) have threatened to shut down
> record stores that sell music with "parental advisory" stickers.
> One of the big players in this censorship campaign is none other
> than Tipper Gore.  I just wonder, after Jan. 20th, whether
> we're going to start seeing warning labels slapped on
> terminals all across the country warning people about such
> excellent groups as talk.bizarre.  The scary thing is that
> the real powerhouses behind all of this are not just people
> like tipper gore, but ultra-right wing fanatic religous
> fronts with Orwellian names such as the "American Family 
> Association."

We have a similar organisation in the UK. They are called the Conservative
Family Association. They are the most backward, ignorant, bigotted group of
people i hav heard of. Their policies go something like this:

- homosexuality made an imprisonable crime
- no sex education in schools
- no more AIDS warning advertisements on TV/Radio/Posters
- Mixed marriages made illegal

there are many more of these ridiculous policies but i can't remember them
right now.

The 2nd and 3rd ones i find most worrying. Not teaching kids about AIDS is
extremely stupid thinking. They believe not giving kids sex education will
reduce the likelyhood of people sleeping around etc and will improve 'Moral
awareness'. Utter crap of course.

ps: I don't know a hell of a lot about politics in the US, but am i right in
thinking Tipper Gore is the wife of Al Gore, Bill Clinton's running mate in the
elections, Tipper Gore being in charge of some 'moral crusade' organisation?
Does this mean the organisation will have a great deal of power come jan 20th?

If i lived in the US of A, i would be a bit worried by this....

>                                    andy wells
>           ///\\\         awells@lynx.dac.northeastern.edu
>         \\\\  ////        andyphys@nuhub.northeastern.edu
-- 



=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
 "i was up all night playing poker with tarot cards. I got a full house and four
  people died...."

  -- John from Dundee --
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Newsgroups: alt.censorship,alt.comp.acad-freedom.talk