You can purchase an autographed copy of Anything But Straight by sending a $35 check or money order to:
-------------------------
Wayne Besen
PO Box 25491
Brooklyn, NY 11202
A few weeks ago, I had to temporarily suspend my policy of allowing my comments section to be a "Free Speech Zone." I was forced to do this because people who are likely paid recloseted homosexuals abused this privilege and camped out on my site 24/7 to post the most inane and insane rantings imaginable.
Since I pulled the plug on the ship of fools, my numbers have gone up and I have gotten positive feedback from my longtime, dedicated readers. Therefore, I have extended my ban on anonymous, paid fundamentalist flaks until September. This site will remain asshole-free for another 30 days. At this point, I may consider opening it to all normal, thinking people. However, if the site is abused by right wingers who lack class and manners, I will have to take action.
Thanks for your loyalty, love and daily contributions. I greatly value my readers and want to keep the clutter from devaluing your enjoyment of this site.
Wayne
17 Comments:
Maybe some of these paid shills for the rapture-right can now get jobs working for mel gibson; but then evangelicals basically hate "Mary-worshipping" Catholics like mel and think they're going to hell like the rest of us. Though I bet many of them were silently cheering when they heard about his anti-semitic remarks.
posted by Anonymous, at
8/01/2006 10:15 AM
I think that's a great policy that will keep the level of discourse high.
I enjoy reading commments that challenge my opinions, if they are intelligent and well thought-out. But, wacky, hateful bile needs to be cut out. They're trying to hijack your blog. I'm glad you're not letting them.
posted by Sam, at
8/01/2006 10:44 AM
Can't agre with your decision more, keep up the great work Wayne !
Keep the ban. Fundies are attracted to your blogsite like bees to wild honey. They have their own sites where they can spew their bile. Don't invite them here, or they'll continue to wear out the welcome.
posted by DC HAMPTON JACOBS, at
8/01/2006 4:48 PM
Sadly, we're not the only target these people have. What I want to know: Where do they find the time to hate? I can barely make it to the gym, cook a nice meal and cuddle on the couch at night without juggling my entire itinerary. As for Mel, his anti-Semitic remarks are awful, but sadly only noticed because he is targeting the Jewish Community. Thus, it's considered an attack on a people. If it were Bill O'Reilly speaking slanderously about the Gay Community it would just be considered commentary on society because we’re not even considered ‘a people.’ Sad.
posted by Anonymous, at
8/01/2006 6:42 PM
Re: Anonymous at 6:42
I agree with your comment. Few people these days would try to defend racism, but attacking gays and lesbians is seen by too many as taking the moral high road or defending "the family" (as if it has ever had a single definition), not as hurting actual people.
I wish we had a way to be visible as a community. I think at least part of the difficulty is that homosexuality is so universal that our community is as diverse as the straight community (if not moreso in some respects), and perhaps that's a disadvantage to us at the moment.
I don't know. Maybe I shouldn't philosophize in real time at the end of a long day.
Patricia Hansen Portland, Oregon
posted by Anonymous, at
8/01/2006 7:27 PM
Oh, that particular anonymous could be any number of people who have been called to task by our host. Keep up the good work Wayne. I figure, the more often you have to delete a post the more you are getting under their skin.
posted by jekelhyde, at
8/01/2006 10:21 PM
I must say I find the number of "anonymouses" (anonymi?) very frustrating. It becomes unclear whether comments are being made by the same person or several.
At least if persons chose, and stuck to, a nom-de-plume, one could indentify the different posts.
Free speech, like other freedoms, must surely have limits. The law of most countries forbids people to use words to defame (libel) others in print or broadcast media, for example, or to use words to wrongly describe products or services advertised for sale.
In the UK we have laws forbidding the use of speech to incite hatred and violence.
So, freedom of speech is not, ever, an UNLIMITED freedom. It is surely for the owner and administrator of this aite to place what limits he fels appropriate on the freedom of speech of contributors.
It is certainly annoying when persons who won't even use a pen-name continually post irrelevant rants - it gets in the way of proper development of discussion threads. Actually, too, it displays the poverty of thought of the one/s posting, and exposes them.
posted by Anonymous, at
8/02/2006 5:38 AM
While "Phil" is happy with freedom of speech being restricted, it is not 'freedom' if it is restricted. He does not understand the meaning of freedom. In his case, it is restricted speech. It is erroneous to tag restricted speech as "freedom". Genuine free speech is feared by those with something to hide or have no defense for their position. IF one supports true freedom of speech, one handles comments, even by jackasses, by ignoring them. By arguing with people seeking conflict, you play into their game. If someone's mind is closed, no amount of reason, by EITHER side, will change it. Those who fear unrestricted freedom primarily fear that others will see the argument of the opposing side. Hence, it's easier to play victim 'oh, poor me' rather than face the criticism. Amerikan fascists, both religious(Zionists included)and political, are notorious for wanting only their opinion adhered to. Victim mentality is so lame. Genuine facts, rather than manipulated positions, will bear out the 'truth'. Don't fear freedom of speech by embracing restricted speech. You play into the hands of people with something to hide.
posted by Anonymous, at
8/02/2006 9:29 AM
Wayne has spoken. His word is absolute truth! He knows exactly who did this.
posted by Anonymous, at
8/02/2006 11:00 AM
A full reply to Anonymous at 9:49 would bring this blog into rather philosophiocal territory.
There can never be any ABSOLUTE freedom either of speech or action, in any society.
I do not have, and should not have, the freedom to use speech to incite hatred against and murderous intent toward a person because of his race. And I do not have, and should not have, the freedom to club a person to death because of his race.
Back to Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Thomas Hobbes, Anonymous, and get reading!
posted by Anonymous, at
8/02/2006 1:01 PM
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
posted by Anonymous, at
8/02/2006 7:02 PM
As for freedom:
Freeway commuter traffic is never a free for all either. You expect people to behave appropriately.
Read: Dan Dennett's "Elbow Room: The Varieties of Free Will Worth Wanting"
If you can't respect this blog forum and post appropriately, you shouldn't be here.
posted by Anonymous, at
8/02/2006 7:30 PM
BNP, if you knew what those initials stand for in the UK, you'd perceive the irony in you writing about freedom.
posted by Anonymous, at
8/02/2006 7:41 PM
Are there formal rules for posting here, and if not why not?
posted by Anonymous, at
8/05/2006 8:58 PM
Are there formal rules for posting here? If not, why not?
posted by Anonymous, at
8/05/2006 9:23 PM
