Censorship raises its ugly head. In short order, it is alleged that Blackbane's access has been revoked, for what she wrote about LANCE's (also known as Icewind's) sister. One lone voice of dissent will be raised in this exchange, about this dishonorable attempt. What is offered in response is a beautiful illustration of what, in the 1990s has come to define online attitudes toward freedom of speech. A deliberate hazing of the distinction between the notion of respecting WHAT a person has to say, and that of respecting HIS RIGHT to say it. The words sound similar, and a person reading in haste, without carefully thinking about what is being said, might overlook the fact that the concepts reflected by the words are miles apart. Throw in a lot of belligerence, and maybe third parties will be intimidated into not examining the shabby rationalisations offered for someone's indefensible actions.
Blackbane will lavish the praise on her oppressor, perhaps hoping to split him off from the rest of the lynch mob. A devious act, yes, but is it one that is going to leave her feeling satisfaction, even if successful ? Freedom of expression is not something she should have to wheedle out of someone else - it is supposed to be a given. Now take a look at what is being tried here. The first post is by the very same person who made the unprovoked insult, in response to the joke that began the hostilities. She wishes to track down Raven, in order to know where to send the complaints.
- Shemah proposes massmailing anneli.com
- LANCE considers Shemah's suggestion, but tells her to wait
- Shemah tries to make her suggestion sound less obnoxious
- response to someone's attempt to track Blackbane
- second thoughts about the whole project
- cheerleading for it
- sad news - anneli is real
- Backup copy of the above posts
... and the joy continues ...
Here, we get to see LANCE (also known as Icewind) try to play at being a 'big man'. Having sought to revoke Blackbane's access for a post she had every right to make, he now tries to legitimise his attempt at the use of illegitimate power, by posing as a kind man, who only wants peace. He raises fear, on a gut level, by initiating a sort of violence - and then does a quick shift, trying to make himself seem the peacemaker, capitalising on the fear that he has raised. Peace, it is subliminally implied, is a thing that comes and goes at his pleasure, so it pays to keep him pleasant. By implication, anyone who displeases him is a source of trouble. It is the old Usenet game of playing good cop/bad cop with oneself cast in both roles.
Presented for your disapproval, now ...
But is peace what is being sought, here? Well, let's just see what Icewind's idea of peace is. It seems to involve him being in control. The courageous souls of alt.religion.wicca seem to like this idea. Fair play? What's that?
...and yet, he is still a man of peace. Here, he's back to being the "good cop", again. Or should I say, net cop?
Here, someone who, despite an earlier post in which he made a bizarre reference to torture as he seemingly attempted to curry favor with the group, seems to show some signs of conscience. Take a good look at LANCE's tone as he responds - a command, with a faintly threatening tone. This is not a man who is interested in a free and equal exchange - this is a man who you'd better not talk back to. But he's a nice guy. Honest.
Here, Raven finally feeds Icewind's outsized ego. The pointless aftermath.
Re: .. BlackBane learns about Payback
Author: .. LANCE safford1 at ccwf.cc.utexas.edu
Date: .. 1997/01/16
Forum: .. alt.religion.wicca
Posted on: .. 1997/01/16
Message-ID: .. 5bk0ss$m5s at geraldo.cc.utexas.edu
organization: .. The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
For those of you tired of the fighting and fake accounts and his friends accounts, et al, I am attempting peaceful negotiations from his BBS. Hopefully this will all be over in a matter of days.
-Icewind
Re: .. BlackBane learns about Payback
Author: .. Mariposa (mariposa at tezcat.com)
Date: .. 1997/01/12
Forum: .. alt.religion.wicca
Posted on: .. 1997/01/12
Message-ID: .. 32D95A5C.2287 at tezcat.com
content-type: .. text/plain; charset=us-ascii
mime-version: .. 1.0
organization: .. Mariposa Inc.
references:
reply-to: .. mariposa at tezcat.com
x-mailer: .. Mozilla 3.0Gold (Win16; I)
LANCE wrote:
> ..
> .. For those of you tired of the fighting and fake accounts and his
> .. friends accounts, et al, I am attempting peaceful negotiations
> .. from his BBS. Hopefully this will all be over in a matter of days.
>
> .. -Icewind
And whom are you talking with atthe BBS?
Can we have an e-dress or a name...
Mariposa
Re: .. BlackBane learns about Payback
Author: .. LANCE (safford1 at ccwf.cc.utexas.edu)
Date: .. 1997/01/17
Forum: .. alt.religion.wicca
Posted on: .. 1997/01/17
Message-ID: .. 5bmtbe$f09 at geraldo.cc.utexas.edu
organization: .. The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
Mariposa ([email protected]) wrote:
: .. LANCE wrote:
: .. > ..
: .. > .. For those of you tired of the fighting and fake accounts and his
: .. > .. friends accounts, et al, I am attempting peaceful negotiations
: .. > .. from his BBS. Hopefully this will all be over in a matter of days.
: .. >
: .. > .. -Icewind
: .. And whom are you talking with atthe BBS?
: .. Mariposa
Sure! Although the situation has *hopefully* been resolved peacefully. Negotiations ended. Read 'PLEASE READ: Decision on Blackbane' for more info.
-Icewind
Author: adelekta (adelekta at kentvm.kent.edu)
Date: 1997/01/16
Forum: alt.religion.wicca
Posted on: 1997/01/16
Message-ID: 17AF810856.ADELEKTA at kentvm.kent.edu
organization: Kent State Univ.
In article <[email protected]> [email protected] (LANCE) writes:
> .. For those of you tired of the fighting and fake accounts and his
> .. friends accounts, et al, I am attempting peaceful negotiations
> .. from his BBS. Hopefully this will all be over in a matter of days.
<Throwing roses and kudos>
Thank you, Icewind! Your efforts are very very VERY much appreciated!
Anne