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CBLDF Auction with Sim & Gaiman

Posted by Hemos on from the supporting-good-works dept.

As most regular readers know, I/we are fans of the CBLDF and the EFF (Contribute to both!) The CBLDF is running a charity auction which is collaboration between Dave Sim of Cerebus fame and Neil Gaiman of Sandman amongst others. There's some good background online as well as the auction itself. The money raised will go to fighting censorship in the graphic arts. I'd also heartily recommend reading Neil's blog and taking Dave Sim up on his offer. His collected form letter are funny, thought provoking and great to read. Oh - and happy birthday, Neil.

3 of 72 comments (clear)

  1. Re:CBLDF? by kallisti · · Score: 4, Informative
    The comic book business has to deal with some of the worst censorships that exist today. Check out Mike Diana who for writing an admittedly crass comic was sentenced to:

    three-year probation, during which time his residence is subject to inspection, without warning or warrant, to determine if he is in possession of, or is creating obscene material. He is to have no contact with children under 18, undergo psychological testing, enroll in a journalistic ethics course, pay a $3,000 fine, and perform 1,248 hours of community service
    .
    There are others, but this really stands out. Comics have been targeted for decades, Google for Frederick Wertham and see what happened to EC Comics in the 50's.
  2. Re:CBLDF? by honestmonkey · · Score: 5, Informative

    One of the cases I'm familiar with because it's a comic book shop I occasionally shop at. Ketih's Comics in Dallas, TX. One of the employee's was convicted of selling an adult comic to an adult. The adult books were kept in a separate section of the store, and children were NOT allowed in that section. Still, a concerned mother (read "fundamentalist wack" -- oops, I mean faithful churchgoer) complained, and an undercover cop (I think he was a sherrif's deputy?) went in and - Gasp! - was allowed to buy and adult book (some Manga title).

    It is unfortunate perhaps, that the CBLDF needs to spend too much time defending people that sell or produce pornography. But Freedom of Speech means just that. They have had a case were the artist was forbidden to even draw anything, even for personal use!, and a case where a parody of the Starbucks symbol was attacked by Starbucks.

    I believe I have a right to read whatever the heck I want, and that artists and authors have the right to produce whatever the heck they want. That's why I give to the CBLDF every year, and have since they were started.

    On a related note, some ABC stations have decided not to air the unedited "Saving Private Ryan", to avoid complaints about obsenity. Even though this has already been on network TV unedited! Just fucking amazing. Damn Janet's boobs, damn them to hell!

    --
    Everything you know is wrong, Just forget the words and sing along.
  3. Re:CBLDF? by Pxtl · · Score: 3, Informative

    No, they're defending the right to print it and sell it - not saying where it has to be sold.

    Keep in mind that in the '80s the comic book industry had the most horrible volunteer-cencorship system. Basically, anything other than traditional super-hero comics and childrens comics was banned from stores. While keeping extreme subject matter out of children's reach is a valid concern, what of a graphic and literary art form? And after all - you can buy Playboy at the magazine rack, so why not Heavy Metal?