"In Response to Concerns of Administrators"
by Vorfeed

After the article written about Post Falls Uncensored that appeared in the October 30, 2004 issue of The Idaho-Spokesman Review and being informed of the administrators' opinions and concerns about the website, I feel I feel I must rebuke several of their key issues with the site.

First of all, about PFU being blocked from school computers-, does this surprise me? No. Does it make me angry? No, because I expected it and understand from where the administrators are coming by doing it. In the article "Pointless Internet Filters," I did not give out instructions for bypassing the filters with the intent to let students know it is all right to access inappropriate material at school; I did it because there were several legitimate, research-worthy websites which were being unjustly blocked and I believe that students with no access to computers of their own should be able to access them. I am not in denial- I know that students don't always use the school computers for strictly research (I don't- why would I use an inefficient system to research when I have my own unrestricted access at home?), but I also think it is extremely paranoid and is underestimating the intelligence and maturity of the majority of students when administrators assume that if students had unfilitered Internet access, "everyone's going to look up pornography," as Mrs. Carlson "informed" me. Any student who would be stupid enough to access pornographic material at school is asking for trouble and should get into it.

As for blocking PFU itself, as I said, I am not surprised. After all, it's not an "educational" site (although I disagree). Is the school now going to be fair to PFU and block every "non-educational" website on the Internet? I am wondering what exactly is so inappropriate about this website; after all, there is no language that passes the PG-13 barrier, and there is absolutely nothing encouraging violent or illegal acts. There are no photographs, and the only images on the website, the cartoons, have absolutely nothing inappropriate about them. By blocking this webpage, the school is only making itself look more oppressive to free speech by silencing the opinions of those critical of it. It reminds me of a small child, huddled in the corner with his hands over his ears and his eyes closed, refusing to listen to what he does not want to hear.

Assistant Superintendent Ford and Principal Billetz were concerned that since PFU is "uncensored," inappropriate or dangerous material might emerge. As nearly everyone who knows me in person could attest, I am one of the most nonviolent, nonthreatening individuals in the school. Until this website, I had never, ever been called down to the office for anything other than to recieve my free dictionary for being an Idaho Top Scholar. I have never had detention, in-house, or suspension. I try to refrain from arguing with adults, because I believe it is disrespectful. As long as I have control of this website, there will never be any pornographic, illegal, violence-or-hate-inspiring material posted. It's not a matter of me not being able to, it's a matter of me not wanting to do so. I feel my responsibility is to report what silenced students are saying, not to incite violence or some sort of revolution. The website is only uncensored in the sense that it will censor malicious or harmful material, but not ideas.

I am not stupid. I am not doing this as an impulse or as a knee-jerk reaction of hate and resentment. I am not going to stoop to the level of those with which I disagree and taunt or slander them. If I did, I would be indefensible and would have no right to this website. To those students who are unhappy with this website, I say to them, "I respect what you are saying, and if you would like to write about your grievances tastefully, I will post your opinions on the website." If someone feels they have been wronged, they can tell me about it and I will do my best to make them feel better. Just because something appears on this website that is critical of people or groups, it doesn't mean that I don't like and respect them as people. This situation and my feelings on it remind me of the Christian saying "hate the sin, not the sinner," although I am not acknowledging "sins" or "sinners," but humans and the human mistakes that they make. I hate no one at our school; I and those who support this website are not out to "get" anyone. To be more conscise, the purpose of this website is not to criticize, but to be a support group for those who feel they have been treated unfairly. As I have stated, if someone has a problem with what we are saying, they are free to express that and be heard.

Mr. Billetz told the Review that "not every student appreciates the site." I am most certainly aware of this, but I find a great irony in it. Most of the students who do not like this site are the ones who have treated less-popular students with less respect than they deserve. I did not see many standing up for the rights of these kids (and succeeding) before this website came along, and it seems the ones criticizing this website are upset that their "hierarchy of importance" is being disrupted.

By continually implying that this website will somehow lead to violence or some other disturbance, the school administrators are attempting to scare kids and parents away from it and give them even more reason to disrespect students who are "different." To those who are worried about any actions that may be done by the contributors to this website- do not allow yourself to be decieved and frightened. The students working on this website are among the most nonviolent, intelligent individuals in the school. We are not the new Trenchcoat Mafia. We will never make personal attacks by calling out individual students. This is not that type of website, and not that type of crowd.

In conclusion, what you have read in the newspaper of our school administration's concerns for this website is overreaction, fearmongering, and, I admit, geniune concern for the safety of students. All we are asking is to be tolerated, if not accepted. There are two options for those who do not approve of this website- tell us your opinion or don't read it. It's that simple. Thank you.