Women and TLUG - a personal rant

[Scott Sullivan]

On 01/15/2014 10:12 PM, Randy Jonasz wrote:
> On 14-01-15 09:55 PM, Colin McGregor wrote:
>> On Wed, Jan 15, 2014 at 9:15 PM, William Park <opengeometry-FFYn/CNdgSA at public.gmane.org
>> <mailto:opengeometry-FFYn/CNdgSA at public.gmane.org>> wrote:
>>     For example, if SAP were to present at TLUG and give free samples of
>>     their software, I'd bet women would be more than happy to come in
>>     garter
>>     belt and sucking on their favourite dildos.  I would attend, too, only
>>     because I normally have to pay to see that.
>>
>>
>> William,
>>
>> Sigh, the above sort of comment is part of the problem, not part of
>> the solution...
>>
>>
>> Colin.
>
> I must admit William's comment took me by surprise and shocked me. But
> in a free society where free speech is lauded and exported beyond our
> borders I must disagree with the condemnations.  Are we to censor
> ourselves so only anodine speech is acceptable?  Free speech involves
> the freedom to be offended.  If William wishes to represent himself as
> someone who objectifies women as sexual objects so be it.  Although he
> has my condolences.  Poor taste and a lack of judgement is no excuse for
> censorship.

Well, this an interesting example case.

William is Free to say what he wishes.

Likewise others are Free to say that they feel his behaviour is not 
acceptable.

Free speech is simply letting both side stand in the light and allow 
those with brains in their heads to consider and make their own opinions.

If I didn't support free speech, as an operator of the list I could 
simply ban the parties involved and remove the messages from our 
archive. That is Censorship.

It is now and always will be William's choice in what he says. It is 
also his choice to consider how what he has said will reflect on his 
character and influence how one may choose, or choose not to interact 
with him in the future. This cuts in both directions for all parties on 
this list and is not a zero sum game.

-- 
Scott Sullivan
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