Xref: utzoo soc.culture.jewish:8448 news.misc:2170 news.sysadmin:1732 Path: utzoo!utgpu!watmath!clyde!att!pacbell!ames!mailrus!cornell!oravax!harper From: harper@oravax.UUCP (Doug Harper) Newsgroups: soc.culture.jewish,news.misc,news.sysadmin Subject: Re: Anti-Semitism (Jew-hatred) on the network. What should be done? Summary: Vote "No" on racism. Vote "No" on hate mail. Vote "No" on censorship. Message-ID: <577@oravax.UUCP> Date: 30 Nov 88 01:28:56 GMT References: <1748YZKCU@CUNYVM> Organization: Odyssey Research Ass., Ithaca NY Lines: 67 In article <1748YZKCU@CUNYVM>, YZKCU@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU (Yaakov Kayman) writes: [Mr. Kayman reports that he has forwarded "e-HATE-mail" originally] [addressed to Nancy M. Gould to two "net.gods". He assesses it as] [viler than a previous posting by Eric Mading concerning Douglas ] [Ginsburg] >which drew widespread deserved condemnation and calls for the revocation >of Mading's network privileges (his account was revoked on 10 Nov 87, >and then was restored on 12 NOV 87). I found the reported remarks to be vile and racist, but I am dismayed that Mr. Mading's account was revoked for his exercise of his Constitutional rights. I'm glad to see that upon reflection, his account was restored. >As such, I feel it should be dealt with even more strongly. How so, Mr. Kayman? Make yourself plain. >Here is the note I sent: [Salutation, expressions of disgust, and a brief history of the racist] [joke controversy and Mr. Kayman's previous actions elided.] > While I fully realize that "net.gods" are not to be mentioned in the >same breath as G-d, who actually runs this universe of ours, I appeal to >both of you to use whatever influence you do have to help end this sorry >state of affairs. > > I don't believe anyone in this great country of ours, Jew or Gentile, >will deny the existence of anti-Semitism in the USA. Can we not keep it >off the net? Can it be done? Perhaps. Should it be done? Never. The expression of all views is protected by the Constitution. Mr. Kayman, your urging of censorship is just as abhorrent as any expression of racism. Please reconsider: accept your responsibilities to this great country along with your freedoms in it. There will be things said that you don't want to hear. You in turn will say things that others don't want to hear. Let's all respect one another and merely turn away when we don't like what's being said. >Yours truly, [part of closing elided.] > > What do you people "out there" think? > >Yaakov K. I think you should show your colors, Mr. Kayman. Are you in fact asking for censorship? Your posting can certainly be read that way. I deplore vicious personal attacks and hate mail. I strongly deplore racism of all forms. Even more strongly, I love our freedoms under the Constitution. The senders of electronic hate mail should be treated the same way the senders of poison pen letters and the makers of harassing telephone calls are treated. When they break specific laws, they should be prosecuted. Punishment of specific offenses, not broad censorship, is the answer. Racism cannot, alas, be legislated away. Neither can it be shouted, nor even bullied away. Teach your children well, set a good example, and hope for the best.