Posts Made By: David Cotterell

Originally Posted by James Brown

Hi Dave:   

I would much rather live in a world where people are free to disseminate disinformation than a world where the government censors disinformation.  This is true even if the disinformation is demonstrably false and damaging.  Government censorship of disinformation inexorably leads to government censorship of "disfavored" information and then unpopular opinions and the quashing of any dissent.  History is replete with examples, look to any dictatorship.

I hated some opinions are not worth reporting on or discussing line of thought when the US press decided Trump required such special treatment.  Freedom is too precious to trust the gatekeeping of information to any allegedly benign authority. 

What to do about disinformation?  (A) the authorities can publish better information, and (B) information consumers can weigh the competing viewpoints for themselves.  In the case of anti-vax disinformation, did this cost peoples lives?  In my opinion it did.  Free speech is worth the price.

Jim

Hi, Jim.  I just re-read the article - nowhere does the Author advocate government censorship.... Not sure how you took that from the article.

Dave

Originally Posted by James Brown

Guys, I get it that Coyne is not openly calling for censorship.  My opinion is not changed however, I will try to explain.  Consider the bit below.  This sort of analysis (some ideas are simply not worth discussing or reporting) set me off because it has been used a lot recently in the US to justify censorship.  I can clip half a dozen of these, to emphasize my point.  I think he is calling for censorship, or the acceptance of censorship.  Heck, he even points out that Canada has no First Amendment?  Why did he do that?  Dave, you'll have to tell me, but is there any First-Amendment-like protection for free speech in Canada?

 He pointed out the First Amendment because some of the backers of the event actually publicly claimed their First Amendment rights despite being Canadian in defense of their actions....

From our charter of rights and freedoms.......

"Guarantee of rights and freedoms – section 1

1. Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees the rights and freedoms set out in it subject only to such reasonable limits prescribed by law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society.


Fundamental freedoms – section 2

2. Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms:

    freedom of conscience and religion;
    freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication;
    freedom of peaceful assembly; and
    freedom of association."


'Freedom of Expression' is pretty much the same thing as free Speech I would think.   But section 1 limits this freedom for things like Libel, Slander, Yelling 'fire' in a crowded room etc....the usual limits on free speech found in both our nations.

The entire Document can be seen here.

As for calling for censorship - I'll have to disagree.  I think the article is a lament rather than a call to action.  

Dave

Originally Posted by Rod Kaufman

This is what you stated, "Has everybody but me heard they were drug users?" and that was after referencing Pukin. With Trump praising him for his "genius" and Tucker claiming how "reasonable" he is, you find it's surprising that one could infer you were making a pro-puking post?

Rod:  Turn on your sarcasm receptors.  It's a way of saying they are NOT drug users.

while I'm here, they aren't Nazis either.

Dave

How long until Putin gets snuffed by... (pick as many as you like)

...oligarchs in his inner circle as they see their personal fortunes seized and properties around the world confiscated. 

...his own military, especially if he makes moves towards nuclear use...

...targeted cruise missile from China or a US ship or.... they know exactly which building in which city that he is in...

My money is on the first one.

Dave

Originally Posted by Richard Davis

That one made me laugh.  What Planet are you on that they want to Kill Putin?  

China is buying Russian coal in massive amounts and he and Xi are like 2 peas in a pod.  China just entered an agreement with Russia to purchase 100 Million TONS of their coal over the next year.  

China is backing Russia, blaming the US for the situation in Ukraine.  Xi blames the US saying that we are pressing Russia too hard.

The 2 are coordinating their efforts so that the world will keep their eyes peeled on Ukraine, which gives China a free hand to attack Taiwan.

China has already been threatening Taiwan's airspace.  Back in late Jan. they sent 39 airplanes into Taiwan's air defense zone.  

What Possible reason would China have to take out Putin?  

Yeah, that's some really clever thinking there.  

I guess you missed the part where I said "My money is on the first one..."  i.e assassination by someone or group of his inner circle mob bosses.  

A multiple choice test question has to have 'distractor' answers. So i made some up. 

DAve

The deal was excellent, no complaints.  But, before i could give the guy his well-deserved 5* rating, he seems to have taken the ad down which, in turn, seems to have removed the opportunity for me to give him a rating...

Is there a solution to this dilemma?

Thanks!

Dave

As Miss Emily Litella would say, "Never mind."  Problem solved...

Dave

...

Originally Posted by James Brown

Hi Dave:

This is a staged photo of the photographer's 9 year old daughter.  The gun was unloaded. https://en.as.com/en/2022/03/12/latest_news/1647049220_819544.html

I agree it is an emotionally engaging photo.  The destruction Putin is  raining down on the Ukrainian people, including children is horrible and reprehensible.  So, the message of this photo is real and the cause is noble.

Still, it leaves me a bit cold.  This is propaganda.  Propaganda for the good guys to be sure, but still it is propaganda designed to tug at our hearts.  I know that every war and every political conflict creates propaganda.  This particular photo seems a bit heavy-handed to me.  It is less persuasive (in my opinion) than genuine photos of the destruction caused by the Russians. 

Jim

Jim, it's propaganda, agreed.  I'm just trying to imagine how many Ukrainian kids like her have been killed in this conflict in the bombing of residential towers and hospitals, schools etc., how many traditionally non-combatant people - mothers, babushka grannies, elderly men, children actually do have weapons and are using them or have been killed.

I consider this photo to be this conflict's Rosie the Riveter.

Dave

Can't we just agree that when the R's are in charge they nominate R-leaning Supremes and when the D's are in charge they nominate D-leaning Supremes.

Dave