The Anti Bullying,Sexism and Racial Discrimination Proposal
Donovan Thomas
Congressman Boru et al,
This letter is to formally apologize for my public attack in your thread contained here:
[Original thread deleted by author]
I will not address the comments directly, only say that I was out of line and beg your pardon. Emotions run high on our Isle as of late and I let my temper get the best of me. I ask your forgiveness and your cooperation in an honorable venture.
I would like to extend a hand of fraternity in the defence of eIreland and offer you an opportunity to helm the reconstruction of the eIrish soul and make the first true strides to non-partisan reunification.
I propose that you Mr. Boru spearhead a referendum in congress to censure those who bullied, bandied and otherwise slandered and assaulted Colonel Grainne Ni Mhaille, Former dMoD and de-facto MoD. leader and cleaner-upper of the Shannon Exercise, CoS, CO and heroine of Eire and the eWorld.
Though impractical in application it would set the tone that this behavior is unacceptable and intolerable; it would send a fitting message to a national treasure that though perhaps lost, should be honored and not forgotten.
Further it would set the tone for future debate and the boundaries of good taste and tolerance of which we have both skirted and found ourselves wanting.
Will you do this Mr. Boru? Will you use your power to reinstall faith in our leaders in a time of crisis, dare I say national mourning?
Will you push this referendum through the red tape sir? Will you show the eIrish people that heart and honor are alive in the Dáil?
To aid you in your endeavor I direct your attention here to a proposal by Congressman Jebbs:
http://ieforums.hobbittown.com/default.aspx?g=posts&t=310'>
The Anti Bullying,Sexism and Racial Discrimination Proposal
Though this legislation is already on the floor. I request that Colonel Ni Mhaille be honored in its name and urge all citizens to read the comments of your elected representatives. I have taken the liberty of saving all existing comments to hardcopy for posterity and will surrender such if requested.
Restore our faith sir. I beg you.
Leaders of eIreland
For the Leadership as a whole I ask you to break from current form and address the following matters here in a public forum.
1. What is the state’s stance in response to the outcry of support for Colonel Ni Mhaille and condemnation of the despicable citizens who debased her as she valiantly maintained her dedication to Erin to the very last?
2. Who will replace 05637716 (AKA Digits) as Minister of Information?
Your time is valuable, your response is appreciated, heartening and woefully needed.
Very Respectfully,
Lieutenant Donovan Thomas
[Edits made due to broken link and to ensure credit to Congressman Jebbs is properly noted]
FOLLOW THE VOTE HERE
Comments
I'm a congressman and I approve of this bill.
I have deleted the article.
Why?
If I can't offer an olive branch so we can have an election based on who'll run the country the better, then I won't allow people to hijack my articles.
"Will you do this Mr. Boru? Will you use your power to reinstall faith in our leaders in a time of crisis, dare I say national mourning?"
As for this, I shall.
They've become as poisonous as McCarthy during the Red Scare, and the worst offenders must be found.
It's a lovely idea. Is there any way to put some teeth into it?
"It's a lovely idea. Is there any way to put some teeth into it?"
Yeah, I'll release my idea on giving it teeth in my manifesto if I'm the ISRP candidate, or in an article if I'm not. It's a bit complicated.
Congressman Boru, I'm not sure I understand. The issue is already addressed in the Public Dáil and being debated there.
You have not (publicly) participated in the debate as your comments are absent.
I urge you not to delay via personal manifesto. The time is now sir. Please join the debate.
I'd love to, but I'll be busy until tomorrow, so I can't fully express my view as I only get on for a little while.
[{ waits fer 2mrw, 2day }]
http://ieforums.hobbittown.com/default.aspx?g=posts&m=2210post2210" target="_blank">http://ieforums.hobbittown.com/default.a[..]t2210
Brian, It looks good, but where's the teeth?
"Brian, It looks good, but where's the teeth?"
What are you talking about, the teeth are in the fact that the guilty will be exposed to the full brunt of public opinion and will be open to prosecution...
I guess I expected something substantially different from the current proposal.
Different how?
Bullying, sexism and racism are part of free speech. Political correctness has no place in eRepublik, just like I've seen some players make statements against Israel other players should be free to make statements against races, sexes, whatever. The marketplace of ideas must be protected no matter who gets offended.
@Greg 454, That Philosophy work good for you over in the states?
Hate is not a "marketplace of ideas". It is the trade of weak and cowardly fools.
Well said DT.
And may I take the opportunity to thank Congressman Jebbs for this initiative, and both Brian Boru and Donovan Thomas for speeding it through. It's long overdue imho.
I personally have no wish for revenge or retaliation. I seek equality and fairness only.
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Unite our tribes. We're stronger together, worthless apart.
Ní neart go cur le chéile.
Gráinne xx
@Brian Donnovan is right, it needs a bit more bite. After, we are talking about a very heinous crime. Defamation of character, perpetuation of hate, and harassing comments are something that cannot be tolerated.
@Greg As for you..... Freedom of speech is the freedom to speak freely without censorship or limitations. However, this does not mean that there are not exceptions. Hate speech is one such exception.
Hate speech is anything that disparages a person or a group of people based on their social or ethnic group such as gender, sexual orientation, race, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, religion, appearence, etc.
So which are you? One of the cowards who hide behind their ignorance and narrow world views? Or are you one who treats all with respect and dignity even if you don't agree with them?
And if you are one who treats others with respect and dignity, but condone those who don't are you really much better than they are?
"@Greg 454, That Philosophy work good for you over in the states?"
---Yes it does, America is a wonderful country BECAUSE we tolerate all kinds of speech. In America we don't put people in jail for denying the holocaust, for spewing racist views, and for other acts others may find objectionable.
I find it funny how europeans worry about "hate speech" when their newspapers often compare Israel to the third reich. I guess saying that zionist are nazis is not hate speech, right?
Or what about the muslims in Europe, they complain about "Islamophobia" yet they have no problem bashing gays in Amsterdam and protesting with signs that say "Thank God for 9/11" and others.
I am not a coward, it takes more guts to defend the people who speak views you hate than those who say things you love. Free speech wasn't invented to defend popular opinions, you don't need free speech in Cuba to say "viva Castro."
If you can't say hateful things, i.e. "hate speech" then you're not really free. Your freedom has been severely limited. Besides, everyday I hear an opinion that I find hateful, whether it's someone making fun of Hugo Chavez for being fat, the dictator of North Korea for being short, or George W. Bush for looking like a monkey (which is you say the same about Obama you'd get called a racist, how ironic), I insist that hate speech is free speech.
We don't need another Hitler censoring us.
@ Greg 454, though I don't deny your right to express your opinion, I have to exercise my own to disagree.
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"Bullying, sexism and racism are part of free speech."
Speak away, but don't have "me" be the victim of repeated attacks. Which I have been here. As any glance at the news will tell you.
("me" being an example, no more.)
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I believe it is the mark of a civilised society to balance freedom with justice. Who will protect the weakest? Will anyone defend the beaten? Does anyone even care? Is "your right" more important than the well-being or feelings of others whom may suffer from "your" cruelly-chosen words?
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Words are all we have here ingame. They are the tools we use to build up, and tear down.
To honour and encourage and praise.
To slander, wound and destroy.
Your words may hurt me. They cannot kill me.
They can kill my wish to continue to play.
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I have never seen or heard from you before, Colonel.
I'm an active playere here, and internationally.
I've read your newspaper, and heard your views. From employment to taxation, glamour models to lynching, PEACE to RL war history, clever picture placement and so on.
Interesting. But I do see a change over time.
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Your attitide changed, a sense of weariness seems to have crept in.
But that's just my opinion.
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I don't know you.
You don't know me.
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We don't need another Hitler dictating to us "europeans"
@ Greg 454
I find that the most effective weapon against ignorance is knowledge, though I do find many of the terminally ignorant are well armored against it. Are you terminal sir?
Your belief that "Hate Speech" is acceptable and legal in America is misplaced. Please see the following link for more accurate information.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hate_crime_laws_in_the_United_States" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hate_crime_[..]ates
"The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance -- it is the illusion of knowledge."
-Daniel Boorstin
I've tried replying 3 times but the system keeps erasing my comment. Please e-mail me if you'd like to discuss this issue further.
I've read them all, with interest.