I suppose once again it's time for the "soap box" perspective.
I'm sure there's a joke, somewhere, but I'm too lazy to find it.
Z #25,
The U.S. Constitution's First Amendment enshrines in law the right of our pioneer villagers to shuffle off to the village square, ascend a discarded soapbox, and attract and address a crowd on matters of public interest.
Fast forward 250 years and we
still have that right. BUT !! It's a new millennium, a different world. Go to the public square today and it may well be deserted. Our countrymen are comfortably contained in their climate controlled SUV, on their way to the shopping mall.
Fine. So the commerce that used to take place in the public square in 1770 now takes place at the shopping mall. Right?
Right.
BUT !!
Though your countrymen and their pocketbooks are welcome at the shopping mall, their First Amendment right to free speech is not.
Many of the rights (including free speech) enumerated in the Constitution protect citizens from government intrusion.
But many shopping malls in the U.S. are privately owned. And U.S. government has no legal authority to dictate such terms to shopping mall owners.
The result: we can still ascend the soapbox in the public square and make a speech. But it's unlikely to be heard.
And while that same speech delivered at a shopping mall might reach many more citizens, many shopping mall owners limit or prohibit it.
So in this new millennium we need a venue. We need access to our countrymen so we can address matters of importance to our neighbors, fellow voters.
That's what BBS like
Citizen Voice is about.
I understand the childish glee of disruption, trolling.
But such disruption / destruction places this exceedingly valuable form of communication in jeopardy. I'm not denying the appeal of the childish antic. But persons of sense must understand, when the risk to benefit ratio is objectively considered, it is the communication, the constructive presence of the public forum which is the more important.
This multi-faceted utility includes issues of national and or humanitarian import such as the recent judicial coup d'état on abortion, the Russian carnage in Ukraine, or the existential threat of atmospheric Carbon.
Included in this utility is empowerment of the minority, whether that be a minority by skin color, religious affiliation, or personal complement. (even the "lazy" can find the hidden meaning there)
"First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a communist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out - because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for me - and there was no one left to speak out for me." pastor Martin Niemöller
It's easy in tranquil portions of ones own life to disregard the value, the utility, the importance of the cyber-soapbox. But that can change quickly. And when confronted by perilous adversity, a clear voice can be an invaluable tool.
It's foolish, childish, ignorant to scuttle such invaluable communication tool for such tawdry benefit of being naughty.
Even for those that don't have an immediate need of such communication tool, it makes sense to keep your powder dry. At very least it's bad karma to vandalize such a powerful medium by childish vulgar trolling. For while some may not have an issue of vital importance to address at the moment, others may.
One of the most conspicuous risks of violating the Golden Rule is, if you disrespect the rights of others, how rational would it be for you to expect respect of your rights from them?
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
"Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets." KJV Matthew 7:12
B. O. R. ARTICLE #1: Ratified December 15, 1791
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.