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From: kleef@ark.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.misc
Subject: To Post or Not To Post... That's the Moral Issue
Message-ID: <1111@ark.cs.vu.nl>
Date: Sat, 5-Sep-87 19:49:14 EDT
Article-I.D.: ark.1111
Posted: Sat Sep  5 19:49:14 1987
Date-Received: Sun, 6-Sep-87 19:46:38 EDT
Organization: V.U. Informatica, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Lines: 34

I must admit I find it really amazing to read the reactions to
my original 'PhonePhreak' posting. And most of all the reactions
of the Moral Knights in their shining Armour.

The fact alone that an article like the one I posted could lead
to a discussion on what should be allowed and what should be banned...
incredible.

The judicial powers here in Holland can in noway prevent an article
from being published, unless 'Government Secrets' are involved. And even
then, it takes a lot of effort to prevent a story from going public.

This does not, ofcourse, free publishers from their duties towards
'Society'. If an article is wrong, highly offensive or could lead
directly to illegal actions (hey, like phonephreaking), the publisher
should answer for himself in a court of law. But only _after_ publication.

And that's the way it should be in my eyes. Please, no censorship on
articles by a Moral Majority (one that seems to be present [in a
minority form?] here on Usenet too). No burning of books, banning
of articles. Let's use this medium the way a modern communication medium
can be used: to exchange thoughts freely.

Paul Molenaar

BTW: This whole thing reminds me of a discussion I heard on the radio 
when I was in Atlanta. The subject was the ban of George Michael's
"I want your sex" on that particular radiostation. The DJ, who clearly
was against such a ban, talked to some listeners. There was this one guy,
Bob, who said he fought in WW II "so we in the US could have freedom of
speech, of thought, of print." He continued: "Who are those to
say we shouldn't listen to that song? That's not what we've been
fighing for!" And the DJ answered: "Oh boy, I can only say one thing,
Bob: I want _your_ sex!"