If you want to semantically differentiate between calling someone and idiot and calling what they wrote idiotic then so be it. It is still resulting down to insults instead of an actual argument.
The examples of reasons for censorhip you listed all draw back to the one single generalization that I set forth in my last writing, which is that the reason for censorship is because the censor think that the writing, topics or ideas are detrimental to the cause or image.
The censoring body deems the content or message detrimental in one way or another and concludes that it is better to not allow people to see it. China deems that the pro-democracy content is detrimental to their message and values and therefore concludes it is just better for their citizens not to see that content at all.
As for the last paragraph which targets my personal views on the matter, I will let you in on my feelings and the original point of my post. The specific article and topic was about USMC censorship and detailed a few examples, some of which were commercial email sites. In the USMC, I would say that there is filtering of sites based on security (commercial email) or offensiveness, but not the censorship of sites based on the political content, or views or even sites that are directly critical of the government or the USMC itself.
Now, for the ifs, that it may be going on in certain commands or that policy has changed very recently or even a test censorship had happened, I will say that some items should be blocked if it is detrimental to the morale and effectiveness of the Marines and thus endangers their lives. Items such as videos of other Marines being executed by Iraq Insurgents, would be an extreme example.
These such decisions should never be made lightly, and I am always wary of trusting someone else to make decisions for me or others without consent. However the military is a different animal like I said in my original post, and there are certain things that have to be done that would seem outrageous to the general public in order to fight battles and keep the soldiers alive.
In general I think censorship is a bad thing, however in certain cases it is a required evil for the greater good. If blocking a website will help keep morale and effectiveness up and in turn save a couple lives than it is justifiable.
As a parent I censor my children all the time, away from content deemed to be above their psychological comprehension. eventually this content will be revealed to them at an appropriate time when their mind can handle it, but until then the content would do more damage to them then their temporary loss of that right to see and be a part of ervything.
It might be a far cry from specific right-wing or left-wing political censorhip, but used as an example that some censorship is justified and beneficial.
There is some censorship which is justified, but it is on the rarer side and of a small scale.
Ok, sure. So you are saying the people would censor things just for the heck of it huh?
The only reason anything is ever censored is because the person censoring it thinks that it is detrimental to their image or their goals.
The real idiot is someone who takes a stand on something with no background or history, and actual evidence to anything even happening.
Instead of actually presenting evidence to support a point of view about censorship, you just resort to name calling like a 10 year old.
Not for one second would I store private personal information here but it does have it's uses for storage of things you dont care if they are uncovered.
For example mp3s and media as was previously stated, or any other type of file, that it doesnt really matter if other people see it or copy it, or even open it.
Well show me one Marine from Iraq saying that political sites are censored.
I have been to Iraq personally, and many other Military bases and real world ops, and have never been once censored from something political for the sake of structuring my point of view.
I know current Marines out there now, who are not censored, save the commercial email sites like Yahoo and Hotmailand sites that that are pornagraphic or potentially offensive that would not be suitable for virtually any other work environment in the United States.
If where you work is 100% open then cool beans for you, but most places censor some stuff from the work environment. Most places would even censor site that are detrimental to their business.
Let us pretend that you worked for a Company called Kaiser. If there was a prevalent website called ihatekaiser.net that was very inflammatory towards kaiser and its business then kaiser would probably shut it off from internal employees to access and diminish their morale.
That is somewhat comparable but on the extreme end and direct hatred instead of indirect such as political views.
The site specifically mentions commercial email sites. If you missed that then maybe you should read closer.
As for censroship on other sites just based on political views, that has already been debunked as a load of crap.
Obviously porn and other offensive type material is banned. If that bothers you then oh well, find it elsewhere.
Commercial email programs are locked out due to security concerns and leaks over routes and time tables or other sensitive information.
If Joe Schmoe can use Yahoo, or Hotmail then he can purposely or accidentally leak out sensitive information about real operations that could put lives in danger.
It would be nice to trust everyone, but let's face it a lot of the USMC are 18 and 19 year old kids, and as much training and coaching as they are given are prone to mistakes just like anyone else.
One email from a Marine to thyeir girlfriend about when the convoy leaves the base and where they are going, to keep her from being worried, will undoubtedly endanger the lives of the entire convoy.
The military is a different animal and the USMC is whole separate community. The rules and policies are there to fight battles and keep the Marines alive. Unless you have been a part of that community you will not understand. There are many activities that Marines do regularly that normal society or civilians would gasp at and balk at and they have.
The USMC has a mission to accomplish and if screening a few websites helps to accomplish that mission then they will do it.
Slashdot Mirror
At least you have a good sense of humor, I applaud you for that. A sense of humor can make up for a lot of things, so it is a good that you have one.
If you want to semantically differentiate between calling someone and idiot and calling what they wrote idiotic then so be it. It is still resulting down to insults instead of an actual argument.
The examples of reasons for censorhip you listed all draw back to the one single generalization that I set forth in my last writing, which is that the reason for censorship is because the censor think that the writing, topics or ideas are detrimental to the cause or image.
The censoring body deems the content or message detrimental in one way or another and concludes that it is better to not allow people to see it. China deems that the pro-democracy content is detrimental to their message and values and therefore concludes it is just better for their citizens not to see that content at all.
As for the last paragraph which targets my personal views on the matter, I will let you in on my feelings and the original point of my post. The specific article and topic was about USMC censorship and detailed a few examples, some of which were commercial email sites. In the USMC, I would say that there is filtering of sites based on security (commercial email) or offensiveness, but not the censorship of sites based on the political content, or views or even sites that are directly critical of the government or the USMC itself.
Now, for the ifs, that it may be going on in certain commands or that policy has changed very recently or even a test censorship had happened, I will say that some items should be blocked if it is detrimental to the morale and effectiveness of the Marines and thus endangers their lives. Items such as videos of other Marines being executed by Iraq Insurgents, would be an extreme example.
These such decisions should never be made lightly, and I am always wary of trusting someone else to make decisions for me or others without consent. However the military is a different animal like I said in my original post, and there are certain things that have to be done that would seem outrageous to the general public in order to fight battles and keep the soldiers alive.
In general I think censorship is a bad thing, however in certain cases it is a required evil for the greater good. If blocking a website will help keep morale and effectiveness up and in turn save a couple lives than it is justifiable.
As a parent I censor my children all the time, away from content deemed to be above their psychological comprehension. eventually this content will be revealed to them at an appropriate time when their mind can handle it, but until then the content would do more damage to them then their temporary loss of that right to see and be a part of ervything.
It might be a far cry from specific right-wing or left-wing political censorhip, but used as an example that some censorship is justified and beneficial.
There is some censorship which is justified, but it is on the rarer side and of a small scale.
Ok, sure. So you are saying the people would censor things just for the heck of it huh?
The only reason anything is ever censored is because the person censoring it thinks that it is detrimental to their image or their goals.
The real idiot is someone who takes a stand on something with no background or history, and actual evidence to anything even happening.
Instead of actually presenting evidence to support a point of view about censorship, you just resort to name calling like a 10 year old.
Good Work. Nice try. Better luck next time.
Not for one second would I store private personal information here but it does have it's uses for storage of things you dont care if they are uncovered.
For example mp3s and media as was previously stated, or any other type of file, that it doesnt really matter if other people see it or copy it, or even open it.
Well show me one Marine from Iraq saying that political sites are censored. I have been to Iraq personally, and many other Military bases and real world ops, and have never been once censored from something political for the sake of structuring my point of view.
I know current Marines out there now, who are not censored, save the commercial email sites like Yahoo and Hotmailand sites that that are pornagraphic or potentially offensive that would not be suitable for virtually any other work environment in the United States.
If where you work is 100% open then cool beans for you, but most places censor some stuff from the work environment. Most places would even censor site that are detrimental to their business.
Let us pretend that you worked for a Company called Kaiser. If there was a prevalent website called ihatekaiser.net that was very inflammatory towards kaiser and its business then kaiser would probably shut it off from internal employees to access and diminish their morale.
That is somewhat comparable but on the extreme end and direct hatred instead of indirect such as political views.
The site specifically mentions commercial email sites. If you missed that then maybe you should read closer.
As for censroship on other sites just based on political views, that has already been debunked as a load of crap.
Obviously porn and other offensive type material is banned. If that bothers you then oh well, find it elsewhere.
Commercial email programs are locked out due to security concerns and leaks over routes and time tables or other sensitive information.
If Joe Schmoe can use Yahoo, or Hotmail then he can purposely or accidentally leak out sensitive information about real operations that could put lives in danger.
It would be nice to trust everyone, but let's face it a lot of the USMC are 18 and 19 year old kids, and as much training and coaching as they are given are prone to mistakes just like anyone else.
One email from a Marine to thyeir girlfriend about when the convoy leaves the base and where they are going, to keep her from being worried, will undoubtedly endanger the lives of the entire convoy.
The military is a different animal and the USMC is whole separate community. The rules and policies are there to fight battles and keep the Marines alive. Unless you have been a part of that community you will not understand. There are many activities that Marines do regularly that normal society or civilians would gasp at and balk at and they have.
The USMC has a mission to accomplish and if screening a few websites helps to accomplish that mission then they will do it.