Political debate is being stifled, at an online [political] forum, which is funded by the Australian government.

Has Australia become a society where a diversity of views, is no longer encouraged or tolerated?




This post is a gripe about an Australian government funded, online forum.

ABC [political] forums - are pseudo forums, with pseudo [political] debate [in my opinion].

Dictionary,
pseudo = = not genuine; fake, pretentious, or insincere.

It seems, that the MODERATORS, at the ABC [Australian Broadcasting Commission] online [political] forums,
...do not allow views to be posted, which are not 'politically correct'.

Two particular 'politically correct' views that appear to be held, and defended, by the MODERATORS, at the ABC online [political] forums are,

• The aspirations of the 'Palestinian' people for their own state, are being thwarted by the cruel actions of the state of Israel.
• ISLAM is a religion. And ISLAM should not be criticised, and ISLAMIC religious texts and doctrines, should not be challenged, identified, or associated with the actions of some violent people.

If you express a position which disagrees with those particular views, it is very likely that your posts will be blocked by 'MODERATION', at the ABC online forums.

Once you are identified as what i would term, a 'contentious', or 'politically incorrect', forum poster [like myself], the ABC forum MODERATORS are able to, and will, direct all of your submitted posts to pre-forum-vetting.

You don't have to be an abusive poster, to be 'MODERATED', at the ABC online forums.

All you need do is post one or two politically incorrect views, and suddenly, the next time you submit a post to the ABC forum, you will receive this message in your browser,

"Thank you for your message.
This message board is currently being moderated, so there may be some delay before your message is published to the board."

....and [in my experience] the post you have submitted, and [in the same fashion] none of your subsequent posts, will make it onto the ABC forum.

You have been gagged, from political debate on ABC online forums.

Two ABC online forums i have had this experience with, are COMPASS, and Q&A
http://www2b.abc.net.au/tmb/Client/MessageList.aspx?b=87&t=1&te=False
http://www2b.abc.net.au/tmb/Client/MessageList.aspx?b=114&t=1&te=False








One obvious consequence is that ALL DEBATE on a particular issue [on such a forum, within that forum] can be 'guided'.

The debate is 'guided', to the point where only 'acceptable' views, will influence THE DIRECTION OF THE DEBATE.

In other words, what is ostensibly [to an outside observer] an open, online forum, for political debate, becomes a *pseudo* forum for political debate.









What the ABC forum MODERATORS are effectively saying is,

"Your point of view is [pick one] untrue/offensive/too contentious. And i won't allow such views to be expressed here."

My counter argument to the MODERATORS is,
ABC forum MODERATORS may disagree with my opinions, and even say that my opinions are untrue or 'offensive' to some.

But if they feel that, then shouldn't they, or somebody else, be prepared to make that argument, IN THE FORUM, against any points i present?

If i do regard ISLAM as an 'offensive' philosophy, then in a 'free and open' forum, shouldn't i be permitted to express that point of view, and be permitted to demonstrate, why i hold that particular view about ISLAM?

And if the detractors [of certain comments i make] have a legitimate complaint, then let them air it [IN THE FORUM], and have their complaint tested in debate!
.....FOR ALL TO SEE.

Shouldn't the ABC forum MODERATORS allow those [other] people who frequent the ABC forum pages, to decide for themselves if my [or anyone else's] arguments have any merit [or not]?

If what i say is untrue, or ridiculous, that fact, will soon become apparent to everyone, when what i say, is exposed to the light of [widespread] scrutiny.







Open societies do not fear the opinions of fools.
....they rather, EXPOSE and laugh at folly!

In any free and open debate, if a 'position' is absurd, if an 'argument' is absurd,
...then the debater is [often] condemned to all, WITH HIS OWN WORDS.

And isn't the exposure of folly, and error, THE VERY FUNCTION, of free and open debate?

Free and open debate *is meant* to be A CONTEST OF IDEAS!
....where every folly is revealed.

And i would contend, that open debate is healthy, to all general freedoms in a society.

Whereas, lies are easily concealed in closed societies,
....*because* these closed societies are places where lies, and falsehood,
....ARE NEVER EXPOSED TO SCRUTINY, OR SPOKEN TRUTH.




MORE.....

The Progressive Left can't handle dissent so they stifle it...  been that way ever since Hawke and Keating.

Unfortunately the PLeft have infiltrated Education and many levels of government and their propaganda is now formalised indoctrination.

Hell they even indoctrinate 5 year olds.

Try it.

All debate everywhere about multiculturalism and Islam is 'moderated'.

The benefits of multiculturalisma re considered like an immutable law of physics E=MC squared, you cannot argue with it because to even question the mighty Universal Law of the Holy Multiculti is to BLASPHEME SINNER!!!

You have committed a heresy, thou shalt not take the Multiculti In Vain!!

And Islam, Islam is a peaceful beneficient religion that loves everyone. Never mind the thousands of terrorist acts committed in the name of religion, or the constant violence perpertrated in its name. That is only because of our own intolerance.

See the more we ignore and pretend not to notice the violence of Islam, the less violence there will be. Because, we know that by ignoring terrorism and violence and the supremacist ideology of Islam, that they will respect our strength for burying our heads in the sand - and immediately depart from all of their accepted laws about slaying unbelievers and taking over the state, as a mark of respect for our respect. Respect, ya dig?

Quote:


Most people will not realise the truth, until it is too late, and there is gunfire on the streets as muslims take up arms to defend their *right* to an independent state in areas that are predominantly muslim in Australia.

Well, well!!!!

Ho ho, ho and a bottle of Rum!!!!!!!!!!!!

Some here will know that 'Political Animal' was spawned from an ABC sponsored and moderated web site.  That the ABC shut it down (about 2003/4) was defensible because, even though it was flush with political debate, it was also awash with tales of, for example, the greatness of the penis of one JW Frogen.  So, we were cut adrift.

What irks the likes of me is that SSSF, hosted at taxpayer expense by the ABC is still being funded by the aussie battler and yet contains less scientific discussion as it does waffle.

Soren wrote on Jun 12^th, 2009 at 10:57pm:

The art of persuasion is empathy and winning over the heart.

NorthOfNorth wrote on Jun 12^th, 2009 at 10:59pm:


The art of persuasion would be giving you a tray of cream buns.

Speaking of which, I saw a really big fat dude riding a disabled mobility scooter this morning, and order up some big cakes from the local cafe. I thought it might be you.

Calanen wrote on Jun 12^th, 2009 at 11:03pm:

Aw, shortarse... you're back. Did he give you a lift?