No one can be more grateful for the freedom of speech that is guaranteed by the US constitution than yours truly.  However, freedom of speech, as noble and lofty a concept as it is, is only a guaranteed in the US, and perhaps in other first world nations.  However, the internet, vast land of unprecedented and historically uncharted waters, is not under the guarantees of any national constitution.   Private websites thus have a right to apply whichever rules they wish to impose.  In the case of Curezone, where the main objective of the website is to discuss and share  alternative health modality experiences, the fact that the Webmaster at one point decided to set up forums where the very ideas centric to the website could be challenged, is a champion example of good will towards free speech.  However, it must be remembered that this is a courtesy, and a noble and generous extension, but by no means a "right".

The fact that there are privileges given to us, does not mean that we have any intrinsic right to violate the freedoms that have been offered to us.  The internet is not the USA, and posters can come in from anywhere in the world.  Some persons who come to Curezone may live in countries where mentioning a dislike for their current ruler can bring on serious consequences.

This is not to say that I approve of oppresive governments nor that I would like to see a gestapo rule over Curezone, but rather I would like to point out that the freedom of speech that we enjoy on this site, were we can actually question and oppose the conventonal wisdom within the website's parameters, is a privilege, not a god given right.

Many of us have faced criticism and antagonism from other members of this board, and in fact have learned because of it to develop thicker skins.  However, serious accusations implying a person's opinions have "killed" others, go beyond the scope of 'freedom of speech'.  Even under the magnanimous US constitution, slander and character assasinations are a crime, punishable by law.

Big difference.

Hi V,

Well, my immediate thought on freedom of speech of
course reflects that old thought that you do not have
freedom to call fire in a crowded movie theater. Of
course, in reality, I have been in a crowded theater
and been the one who stood up and yelled, folks the
fire alarms are going off and am I going to be the
only one heading to the door??

I have seen the latest barrage of mudslinging and
admit, I have felt empathy with the parties involved
because I also have been on the receiving end of
rhetoric which is mild in comparison to the
defamatory posts AIMED by one unhappy person who
seems to have an ax to grind.

While it would seem harmless, it does have an impact
and while the words may not be based in truth, they
can do harm. For this reason, I do not direct my friends
here because as much as I would try not to involve myself
in some personal dispute, when someone is calling me a
monster or a troll, over and over, then it does plant seeds
in other's minds. Especially if they do not know you
very well. I have a reputation which I am protective
of. I have worked hard to develop my reputation and
since much of my work is involved with integrity,
when people come to me to be worked on, it involves
trust and if a person is juggling their thoughts and
impressions and cannot get past their feeling they
WANT to trust me but then what about all those other
people who think this person is a whack??

I am not going to go into the details, but will offer
a perfect example of how one person can undo years of
work in a short time and order. Myself and two other
women, years ago, formed a support group, out in the
real world. It was specific and so attracted people
from a 5 state area and over the 12 years we devoted
our own time and resources, it did become a group
worthy of going national. None of the original three
wanted this to happen though and keeping it open and
honest was what we wanted and not any BS. It worked
because it was born out of self-less devotion and a
commitment to others. Enter ONE unhappy person with
an unlimited amount of phone time and access. She wanted
to FORCE us to go national and within say 6 weeks began
a pecking party over the phone. She did nothing but
plant the seeds of untruth and outright lies and only
inferred that our intentions were anything but what
they were. It was enough though to inspire mistrust and
in many cases, most people just did not want to become
involved in controversy. The organization fell apart.
After twelve years. We three women did not have the
strength to stop the firestorm of lies and innuendo
and so a good thing, based on a team/group idea was
held up as an ugly thing...look, these women are trying
to keep us from being ALL we can be. That sort of thing.
Of course, we three woman gracefully bowed out and there
was no one to do any of what we did at our own expense
for years. It was a labor of love and it was effectively
destroyed by the words of some unhappy over-medicated
woman.

Curezone is much like what our group was, attracting
people seeking help and information. There are those
of us who see it as a positive way to connect with others
and to share information. It is an alternative health
watering hole. Already, in the few years I have been
coming and going, I have seen attacks on others and
myself and while none of them have been based in any
reality, what I see happening is that the controversy
has created issues for Curezone itself and many people
have left because, as you say, they see where freedom
of speech has allowed the few who would bash others
simply because they like the thrill of being on one
side of a moniter and kicking someone and *blink*,
they can be destructive and get away with it.

I think now, some others of us are saying, hey, lets
pay more attention to this kind of behavior. Discourage
it, and enforce the guidelines and the terms of service
so we can all use the watering hole and have some kind
of expectations of how people should act.

I miss the many many voices who have left the forums.
With each volley of disparaging rhetoric I have to
defend myself about, I also consider leaving. I would
prefer to be supportive of Curezone and put my energy
towards shoring up its foundations and repairing its
reputation. This does involve taking a stand against
the few posters who come merely to mess with those of
us who are using the site in a productive way.

If you are a parent, you can see where you can give
your child freedom of speech but not the freedom to
call you a %¤#&!§-every day. As much as you love your
child, it would erode your feelings and plant seeds of
anger to hear your child call you an ass everyday. It
would be healing to the relationship to come to the
understanding that the child's language would have to
change so that the relationship could grow.

Even in your own forum, surely you are not telling me
that you have never banned anyone, or hidden their posts
when they say things which might prejudice you before
others. Others who may or may not know you but who come
to you expecting you to offer guidance and share wisdom.
To share that, you have to either cut your way through
the brambles, or simply say, time for the brambles to go.

It is time for the brambles to go here. We cannot rebuild
a place where people can come and become part of a healing
community where one can feel supported in their healing
journey, and also allow the brambles to grow, unfettered.
Its just as valid a need as the need for freedom
of speech. The proof of the pudding so-to-speak though is
if anyone is getting hurt. People do get hurt and while it
does seem to be a situation where you are damned if you
do, damned if you do not, the bottom line is Curezone.
What is best for Curezone and the community. Of course,
that is my self-is notion of how I would prefer this group
to grow. My meager understanding is that there are other
issues involving finance and sponsors and such which I
am much less concerned about. There seems to be plenty of
room for improvement. I just do not see it coming when
you are advocating for all sides to have equal air time
and privilege to say anything they want.

I respect you and you respect me, so that is where our
freedom to say what we will to each other comes in. It
is different when someone does not respect you. They
tend to become as bad company, best tossed outside to
focus their dissatisfaction to the wind.



blessings and best wishes,
Zoe

-_-

Freedom of speech does not extend to making false accusations repeatedly that someone's advice has killed people.

Mere name calling and mud slinging is one thing - and I think I have proven time and again that I can give as well or better than I receive, while maintaining at least a minimum of civility.

What we are talking about, Vulcanel, is repeated character assassination and defamatory groundless accusations - and that is something no one should have to take and CureZone should not permit.

Imho, your advice here does not appear to be in keeping with your repeated bannings and strong reactions to posts you do not like in your own forum.

DQ