I saw some posts where people were complaining that free speech is restricted on TER boards. I have a different take.

People can have all the free speech they want but on their own dime.

Say for instance you support gay marriage. Now would you allow the church to set up stage in your backyard and vilify gay marriage. Of course not. Also when you allow someone into your home, you expect certain decorum. If the person misbehaves, you'll surely ask him or her to leave.

Now the church has free speech to say whatever it likes against gay marriage in the church or in their publications. But they cannot do it on your private property.

When people join TER, they agree to be moderated and agree to a certain code of conduct and decorum. Now if the code of conduct is violated you are thrown out of TER, which is their private property. You would do the same if someone misbehaved in your house.

So before complaining about free speech, one should realize that free speech is closely tied to property rights.

To conclude you are free to say anything on your own property, but not on other people's dime.

P.S. : Free speech and public property is another discussion. I think the term "public property" is an oxymoron

Alot of people abuse the fact that
we do have a freedom of speech law
taking it to a level they wish were
allowed. Some boards allow tha kind
of abuse but then again consider
the source. It's probably a good thing
that TER has a code of conduct it just
shows they are more concerned about the
kind of people it draws in. You know, ADULTS
who know how to behave as ADULTS?

But what is your point here with the topic
I apologise I don't understand what you want
to see.

Angela

Just sayin'.

Forgot to link to the guidelines. See Guideline no. 1.

I developed this alias to distinguish between Mr. Info and me when I offered info pertinent to TER. I use aliases more as a persona than a skirt.

Here are NINE very acceptable reasons for the use of an alias.
Posted by Board Admin, 5/15/2009 7:14:02 PM  



Here are NINE very acceptable reasons for the use of an alias.







Use of topical humor when the alias enhances the humor

The creation of a character(literary license) to be used in an informative, fun, innocuously sarcastic, philanthropic, as well as topical way.


Anonymity for when regional or associational sensitivities may be of concern, particularly when there are members out there who will harass you on the boards when you disagree strongly with them.


Innocuous playing of "devils advocate" in a discussion or debate where one wishes to not be further/future aligned with one faction or the other.  If you look at the GD Board, there are providers who have flat out stated that they won't see someone based on some of their posts.  Why would any guy take the chance.


Avoidance of suffering political fallout for a comment that may have been wrongly construed in a possibly volatile discussion.  Some of these regular posters are hyper-sensitive, and also don't read the whole post before going ballistic.


Posting investigative reports, meet & greet announcements, helpful advice, or other similar types of useful information where the use of a user-name could prove problematic or open the poster up to incessant PM's and questions.


Concerns in revealing your review history.  This is a big one when you are posting about a particular provider that you are not going to name. In those situations, you open ALL of your reviewed providers to the public guessing who you are talking about.  It's not fair to the others.


Ability to contribute where you would otherwise feel embarrassed to speak candidly.  Some are just too shy, but will post under an alias.


To avoid a google search turning up your review history.  Some of these guys only post in alias for this reason.