[Winona Online Democracy]
I realize this thread is a couple of weeks old, but I am going to reopen this wound... at least a bit. 1. A Blog is not like a prank phone call. A blog is not unsolicited. It is posted to an area, and one can choose to visit and read it if they so choose. It does not call during dinner or fill one's inbox. 2. As far as being malicious or lacking on factual information, the Blog in question is about WAPS. Sarcastically, DUH. I can't imagine a WAPS topic being cloaked in secrecy. Perhaps this is a reflection on how well our community is informed? 3. "this venue is completely non-productive" is not the same as the blog stating something you disagree with. Apparently it is productive since everyone here has read it. Seems to me it served its point. 4. Students, teachers, and community members are in many instances afraid of voicing their concerns openly; whether school officials and administrators are "aware" of them or not. Remember, urban myths, like other myths are based on some truth. Besides, an anonymous post on a website is certainly better than maker on restroom walls. 5. The computers ARE the property of the school district. Please do not forget that the school district IS the property of the community. I realize there is a fine line between academic freedom and freedom of speech and the requirements the State and Federal governments impose on districts in order to receive funding under the Child Online Protect Act and others. The district, like other public schools and libraries have installed devices / software to curb explicit materials from being readily accessible to our children. This is much like holding the ocean back with a broom however; and in order to allow pertinent content, much inappropriate material (whatever this really entails beyond XXX rated stuff) slips though. The major problem with this questionable Blog is that the automatic in-place devices did not catch the site. Which leads me to believe the content is not explicit; simply a different viewpoint from certain administrators. When did our system go from believing more strongly in how to think to demanding what to think. 4. There ARE legal considerations when electing to arbitrarily block internet content that could prove of academic value. There are legal cases popping up all over our nation challenging the filtering rules. Freedom of speech and academic freedom in k-12 are being redefined right not. We all want to protect our children to some degree. Like other rights however; one person's rights end where another person's begin. Blocking content because a person doesn't agree with an opinion or view is unconstitutional. This is especially important for minority groups. Oh, this was written over my lunch for those interested. ;) Tobias Schmidt -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Schmidt, Tania M Sent: Sunday, March 19, 2006 7:37 PM To: Leslie Hittner; [email protected] Subject: RE: [Winona] Winona Public Schools WEB Log [Winona Online Democracy] While the blog produces little civility, it should be noted that the blog demonstrates the frustration not only within the Winona Community, but specifically within the walls of the schools. Blogs are anonymous--that is their nature. It is this feature of a blog that brings out the best and worst. Take it for what it's worth, but don't overlook the idea that people are finding a needed anonymous public outlet.... (specifically teachers and students). Also, I need to brush up on access laws, but perhaps someone on WOD may be able to answer this question: As long as a site is not pornographic or harmful to children, isn't it illegal to block it on school property? I know it would be at WSU....even if the blog was about WSU. I'd be interested in someone else's knowledge on the topic of sensorship. Tania M.Schmidt ________________________________ From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] on behalf of Leslie Hittner Sent: Sun 3/19/2006 4:45 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [Winona] Winona Public Schools WEB Log [Winona Online Democracy] Thought I might start another thread. I have been following the BLOG so widely publicized a week or so ago in the local media. It's the first time I have paid any real attention to BLOGS. I have a couple of observations about this BLOG and, because of how it's running, I'm not going to post these observations there. 1. It certainly is NOT a place for civil discourse. I have read numerous postings that are rude and hurtful and that appear to have no purpose other than that. 2. The fact that people can post anonymously leads them to make unsupported charges, state incorrect facts, and layer their posts with much innuendo without having to be held accountable for what they say. One fact is clear from the BLOG, however: Despite NUMEROUS news stories both past and present, about District 861 and its woes, about charter schools (which are FREE PUBLIC SCHOOLS), and about WSHS relocation plans (and how they were changed) cynical people cling the their beliefs and to the ladders of inference which they climb. -Leslie Hittner PS. I seldom agree with Ervin Wolfram but I have to hand it to him. He's active on the BLOG and he is the ONLY one who signs his name! _______________________________________________ This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. 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To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona Any problems or suggestions can be directed to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you want help on how to contact elected officials, go to the Contact page at http://www.winonaonlinedemocracy.org _______________________________________________ This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona Any problems or suggestions can be directed to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you want help on how to contact elected officials, go to the Contact page at http://www.winonaonlinedemocracy.org
