Internet Censorship by Imbeciles....

[CarZee]

Remember this thread? www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=17338&f=23&h=0

Plotloss posted a link to www.thinkofthechildren.co.uk

Some people thought it was a bit sick... I thought it was entirely a work of satire, poking fun at the mob mentality against perceived child molesters as instigated by such machinations as the News of the World "Name & Shame" campaign, which in part precipitated vicious attacks upon Paediatricians whom News of the World readers couldn't distinguish from Paedophiles..

Well, I joined the mailing list for this satirical site.. it's the sort of humour that I like - a little close to the knuckle, but extremely well observed, socially aware and critical of the less savoury mores of humanity.

Today I received the following:

quote:On Monday 23rd September, the Metropolitan Police (acting
with the support of The Internet Watch Foundation) contacted
my web host, Webfusion (aka Host Europe), and requested that
thinkofthechildren.co.uk be 'removed from the public
domain'.

The reason? Several complaints had been received from the
general public that the site was 'inciting others to engage
in mob violence'. There was no warrant issued. No form of
official order at all. Just a polite request - which was
immediately complied with. Much like a small puppy might
comply with a request to 'roll over'.

For those of you who didn't see the site, the first
paragraph read:



'Who Are We?
We are concerned parents, many of whom have children of
our own and who want the law changed to protect them.
Every day in Britain happy, popular children who do well
at school are being murdered by evil paedophile scum. Well
enough's enough! Its time the law got tough on child
murderers.'



Of course, what it should have read was:


'What Is This?
This is a work of satire. It might not be very funny
satire, but it is satire. It is in no way an incitement to
commit mob violence. It is quite obvious to anyone who
reads any of the words on the site that it is a piece of
comment on Britain's tabloid-fuelled, pig-ignorant mob
culture. If you are a tabloid-fuelled, pig-ignorant mob
participant, please do not read any further. It will only
confuse your stupid, ignorant brain. Also, please do not
complain to the Metropolitan Police as they are very busy
people and have better things to do with their time. Like
catching child murderers.'



Alternatively, if you are the person who decided that a
publication distributed via the Internet can be removed from
circulation on the basis of one telephone call and a follow-
up fax, rather than the court order that would be needed if
the same words were printed on paper and put on a
newsagent's shelf, please (and I mean this in all
sincerity), go **** yourself.


I'm currently taking legal advice to work out the best way
to get thinkofthechildren.co.uk back online. My lawyers tell
me that the offence of 'inciting morons to grab the wrong
end of the stick with their stupid, clammy, placard-waving
hands' hasn't yet made it on to the statute books - so
fingers crossed.

As you're on my mailing list, I'll keep you up to date with
any developments. I might also ask you to join me in an
angry mob to torch the offices of the Internet Watch
Foundation - but we'll see how it goes.

In the meantime, I'll leave you to ponder the irony of a
site parodying mob culture being removed on the basis of
complaints from a tiny group of very stupid - but very loud
- members of the public.

Until soon, I hope.


Alex

[e-mail]

Now, this really is a freedom of expression isue. And of PC bigots jumping on the little guy because he's an easy target, and his ISP will just roll over and pull his site.. how long before the same happens to my site???

I'm beside myself with annoyance at this turn of events..

>>> Edited by CarZee on Tuesday 24th September 10:52

[Podie]

More PC mumbo-jumbo.

Granted there is a place for censorship, but providing that people are aware of the contents in something, then I see no problem in them making their own mind up.

[PetrolTed]

I really look forward to the day when everyone in this country is satisfied to source their 'news' from the News of the World.

AAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

[incorrigible]

quote:Paediatricians, whom News of the World readers couldn't distinguish from Paedophiles..

About sums it up, just like "Speed kills"

Don't know whether to be annoyed or sad

[CarZee]

Well I've emailed the web blokey to offer my support in petitioning his ISP and this bunch of Internet Nanny Cretins..

[mel]

CArzee can we have a look at moving my Metalkitsch site next time your up? It's currently with these Webfusion muppets.

[CarZee]

Yes indeed...

[pbrettle]

Having worked on the law and the internet before - the police do need a warrant to enforce a closure notice for the short term - pending a hearing to represent both sides. It is then possible to get a subsequent judgement to get keep it open pending the case.

However, the police have NO authority to do this and cannot enforce anything recommended by any Internet foundation whatsit.... The only way that it can be pulled is if it is illegal - then you are bound by the various acts that cover this such as the Obscene Publications act etc.... Therefore nothing, absolutely nothing that they can do unless it breaks the law.

PC really pi55es me off - they dont have the ability to stiffle the free speech (I am not going to talk about this here and now) as it doesnt conform to their view of the world - if we continue to allow these people to get their way then it will all be sanitised to their political gains....

Cheers,

Paul

[scruff400]

ASMTOIUD (Actually spat my tea out in utter disbelief).

They really have taken over the asylum.

Edited to remove the words Statistic and Knob.

>> Edited by scruff400 on Tuesday 24th September 11:13

[marki]

Here is some more stuff on what the Bubble and Squeaks are up to

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/2271130.stm

[plotloss]

WHAT!

That is one of the funniest sites I have seen in some time. Why is that people who dont understand satire want it stopped? Look at the uproar over that Diana Private Eye cover.

It strikes me as fundamentally wrong that middle England whilst wanting a voice on every possible subject doesnt have the cognitive power to spot humour when its smashing them in the face with a placard.

If you dont have the mental ability to notice a joke then as far as I am concerned you have no further part to play in society - get back to your 'luvely mud' old woamn.

Matt.

[DrSeuss]

Reminds me of the excellent Brass Eye satire on paedophilia and mob rule, which went sailing waaay over the heads of most people, including Beverley Hughes MP who condemned it as "unspeakably sick" without even having seen it...

[Podie]

quote:
I really look forward to the day when everyone in this country is satisfied to source their 'news' from the News of the World.

AAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

..but everything you read in the papers is true!

[pbrettle]

And some people thought that Brass Eye (one of the funniest programs I have seen in a long time) and Alan Partridge were real....???!?!?!? WTF - do we live in a land of morons? When they are in the several hour section of the evening known as "comedy hour / evening" then it kinda gives it away....

How could you think that it was real? Next they will be suggesting that Ali G is a valid chat show discussing the issues that affect the yoof of today.

Morons, monkeys, idiots ... what else can I say...

Paul

(P.S. The office is back next week - now thats a funny program and some people thought that it was a "fly on the wall" documentary..... sheesh

[mervynp]

quote:

..but everything you read in the papers is true!

No no, everything you read on the interweb is true...

Seriously though, have these guys got in touch with The Register, slashdot or even Private Eye? They often carry stories like this.

[scruff400]

It's a good job the American tendency to sue the arse off anything wasn't around when War of the Worlds was broadcast.
Come to think of it some of these post have caused whiplash...
Hmmm...

[CarZee]

quote:Seriously though, have these guys got in touch with The Register, slashdot or even Private Eye? They often carry stories like this.

I've passed it to Tim Richardson at the Register.. Whether Slashdot woudl run it, being a US site, I don't know..

I'll look for details on contacting Private Eye though..

[mervynp]

carzee,

[e-mail]

If you think this is an isolated example, think again...

www.theregister.co.uk/content/6/27261.html

>> Edited by mervynp on Tuesday 24th September 11:54

[CarZee]

Looking at teh Register, there's been an other one this week...

Remember the Canterbury Parking Clowns site, highlighting the overzealous jackboot traffic nazis in Canterbury? It's been shut down..

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=57&t=13425&h=0

www.theregister.co.uk/content/6/27261.html

[CarZee]

quote:If you think this is an isolated example, think again...

www.theregister.co.uk/content/6/27261.html

heh.. snap!