Linda wrote:
> Unfortunately, in such an anonymous setting - anyone can log in
> falsely to the site - there is no mechanism for accountability.
On the contrary--ANY web site has a built in mechanism for tracking the
identity of a poster; they simply record the ip address of all connections
in their system log. If a law suit or criminal action occurs, those
records are easily made available to the appropriate authorities and
provide the means to track the user to his/her specific computer. Unless
the user is using a campus computer which does NOT require a login process
or record of use (and if that is the case, the campus itself may be
legally liable for postings from its systems), the user is easily
identified.
> Now anyone can publish any vile rumour about anyone (faculty or
> otherwise) on a global scale causing harm to professional and
> well as personal reputation and credibility and they can do it
> with impunity. I have a problem with this. The owners of the
> site needs to take responsibility for the content on their site
> and the ramifications of that content. And we as professionals
> and as human beings should not be so quick to let them off the
> hook under the guise of free speech.
So far, I've seen a great many statements that the owners of the site may
be causing harm to people--but I haven't seen a single example of someone
who WAS harmed by the site itself. Censorship is the most reprehensible
act an academic can call for--before even considering it, VERY solid proof
that harm has actually occured (names, dates, nature of the harm, lack of
legal recourse by that person, etc.--not wild suppositions) needs to
exist, and if it does, no one has cited it here.
Much of this conversation smacks of PC aspects--and from a personal
perspective, I would sooner give up teaching altogether than to be
associated with THAT particular form of intellectual bigotry.
Sorry, Linda, but the right to free speech is far more important than the
relatively minor harm that may come from a site of this nature--or any
OTHER site for that matter.
Peace,
Rick
--
Rick Adams
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Department of Social Sciences
Jackson Community College, Jackson, MI
"... and the only measure of your worth and your deeds
will be the love you leave behind when you're gone."
Fred Small, J.D., "Everything Possible"
