Political?

**Gone fishing** · September 11th, 2012

I'm not really too bothered as if I want to argue this stuff I choose OSNews rather than ubuntu forums, but I've had this http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2056259 post jailed for being political. If it is its political then its political with a small p and if it is then

Declare them terrorists and they will never fly outside their countries again

is a least as political suggesting that on occation hacktavism might be a legitimate form of protest is political, but suggesting they have their assets seized and be declared terrorists isn't? Or is the political mentioning SOPA? I don’t get it.

**Gone fishing** · September 12th, 2012

My concern is that some moderators hold extreme positions such as:
Open-source doesn’t matter all software is equal and the ideas behind it are unimportant, on a Windows forum possibly not extreme but when you consider Ubuntu is an open-source project and its stated goals then this is an extreme position.
Software patents are un-important and irrelevant, large companies have every right to buy up IP and use it to prevent smaller companies producing products. An extreme position opposed by Canonical, Red Hat and the Free Software Foundation.
Hacktivism and Terrorism are equal (I generally oppose cracking, DOS attacks and cyber-vandalism) but to say that it is equivalent to planting a KG of semtex in a crowded shopping centre is an extreme position.
The moderators are entitled to their position but if they then use their position as moderators to suppress opposing voices then a line is being crossed.
I understand that maintaining the friendliness of the forums is a difficult job and preventing aggressive trolling, and fractious discourse is difficult but please be careful.
A man can no more see his own prejudice than fish can see Water.

**KiwiNZ** · September 12th, 2012

The Code of conduct is very clear and precise concerning politics.

"Politics and Religion: These two topics have caused serious problems in the past and are now forbidden topics in the forums. Please find another venue to exercise your freedom of speech on these topics."

It is also repeated in the Banner to the Community Cafe...

"Discussions on religion and politics are not allowed. These two topics have caused serious problems in the past and are now forbidden topics in the forums.

Politics is a very volatile topic and has cause a lot of grief in the past on these Forums, the decision was made several years ago to place a blanket ban, so the no politics and subsequent moderation of it is not new.

there is many venues on the Web that one is free to express politic views, but, ubuntu Forums is not one of those places.

**Gone fishing** · September 12th, 2012

I am not satisfied with this response - with respect, I feel you have crossed a line which is unacceptable I would like the opinion of another moderator.