I do like the idea of a comment space on the posters. It might soften the message and appeal to peoples’ natural love of writing on things.

Not once did I employ the word friend when referring to the individual. I mentioned that I have firsthand knowledge of the situation. I don’t like the fact that people can’t read my comment without immediately categorizing me as his ally, and this strengthens any argument for anonymity. Should I have posted the comment behind a proxy? Is this what it has come to? I posted my name because I thought people would be mature enough to examine my argument and not make ad baculum attacks on my allegiances. Clearly I was mistaken.

It isn’t at all hypocritical of me to disagree with Ian, because I VERY CLEARLY made my disapproval of the person’s behavior known. Believe it or not, I can actually support Ian’s rights and the poster’s at the same time. Ian has the right to mediate his blog, not to send the university shocktroops after people with fewer brain cells than him.

Now, I don’t mean to say that the word “faggot” is in any way acceptable behavior, and I hope everyone noted the fact that I found what he said, and the sentiment behind his comment absolutely abhorrent. But an internet post is an internet post. And you know the old adage about arguments on the internet. I just have, and hang my head in shame.

Ian, if you want to meet up with me for coffee and discuss censorship and atheism and such, I will buy you a large latte.

I’m not an enemy of atheism, homosexuality, or inebriated first years. Just someone who is willing to defend free speech to a ridiculous extent.

It’s funny that you would accuse Ian of censorship when it was your friend who was taking down posters that did not agree with his/her point of view. There is so much white space on the posters – why not just write on them if he/she felt the need to express their opinion by vandalism. At least that way a dialogue of some kind would be open.

I find it interesting that you would use the fact that your “friend” is a first year and was inebriated as an excuse for their actions. We are taught when we are young that there are consequences for our poor choices. By now, they should know to take responsibility for their own actions. Also, inebriation is never an excuse for ill-advised choices. They should know better.

Using the hateful word faggot is NOT ACCEPTABLE – whether it be on a University of Alberta IP address, or at home. It is a derogatory word that is used to belittle people who have different views than your own. It harkens to the bullies who beat up and kill gay people just for walking down the street together. Using that word was unnecessary, insulting, and REALLY offensive. The words DO have importance – and if you think otherwise take a look through history to see how the use of derogatory terms for people who are different have led to terrible actions. You should realize that it was this use of language and not the action of taking down the posters that Ian is upset about and that was unnacceptable to AICT.

As long as you feel comfortable with the fact that you’ve knowingly guided the hand of censorship over comments that had, in reality, no importance, I suppose nothing I can say would make you understand the idiocy of condemning a foolish and inebriated first year for the crime of stupidity. Really the only thing more lacking in intelligence than his slurred post is how seriously you took it.

As you can see, I’ve provided my name. I hope this will aid in dispatching our lovely university’s fine thought police.

Perhaps I’m being too hard on Annonymous for his illiteracy, though. After all, he’ll have plenty of time for book-learnin’ when his lack of forethought inevitably lands him in prison for assaulting a Taco Bell cashier when his cheesy beefy melt isn’t beefy enough, thereby threatening his sexuality.

Oh, I’d better dumb this down in case Annonymous is (heh-heh) ‘reading’ this: I’m using WORDS to make fun of you, asshat.

This guy/girl is a shining example of the modern definition of idiocy. Bravo to them… bravo.