Moolita

Why I am leaving Livejournal

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 07:53:28 GMT

A few days ago, my journal was permanently suspended by Livejournal. As you can tell, that decision has since been reversed.

I was not given any warning for the deletion. I simply received a very cold email from Livejournal informing me that my journal had been permanently suspended because some of the interests in my interests list apparently "expressed an interest in, or encouraged illegal activities." I was told this was a violation of the Terms of Service.

I was told that listing "pedophilia" as one of my interests was the reason for my journal being permanently suspended. I was told that my journal would not be restored, and that I would never be welcome to use Livejournal again, because I had listed "pedophilia" as one of my interests.

As of today, my journal was restored, out of the blue. I read a post from the CEO of Livejournal, who said that approximately 500 journals had been deleted, and when thousands of Livejournal users reacted with outrage, they decided to review what they had done, and restored about half of the journals.

This is my understanding of what happened: An anti-pedophile group called Warriors for Innocence contacted all of the companies who advertise on Livejournal. They told them that Livejournal hosted content that encouraged and supported pedophilia and child molestation. They told the companies that they should pressure Livejournal to delete all of the journals with such content, or else they would start a public campaign to inform the public that these advertisers were comfortable advertising on a site that supports pedophilia. So, the advertisers went to Livejournal, and threatened to pull all their advertising unless Livejournal took action.

Livejournal began to delete all journals that listed "pedophilia" as an interest. This includes all communities that were dedicated to fictional sexual stories involving children, communities dedicated to survivors of child sexual abuse, and journals of people who are law abiding pedophiles, as well as people like myself who have a passionate academic interest in pedophilia (I am a sociology student, for goodness sake!).

There was a huge public outcry from Livejournal users over this issue. They expressed shock and disgust that Livejournal would censor free speech to such a degree. Livejournal had always had a very liberal policy regarding freedom of speech and expression. That is, until the advertisers threatened to pull their advertising, which would result in a huge loss of money for Livejournal.

When Livejournal realized how upset they had made their users, they decided to review all of the journals that they had suspended, and restored the ones that clearly did not encourage illegal activity. Mine was one of them, of course.

I feel incredibly shocked that it was even thinkable for Livejournal to take this action. It just reminds me how much people are unwilling to question social norms. The very fact that someone could be interested in pedophilia, and what it is, and why it is, and what it means, makes them someone who does not deserve a voice. It makes them someone that can justifiably be silenced.

This incident has only reaffirmed my desire to educate society about sexuality and to help people question social norms. Why are things the way they are? Are popular views about sexuality helpful or harmful?

I will no longer be using the service provided by Livejournal. I felt the need to make this post so that you would all know what happened, and why I am leaving. I do not feel comfortable using the service of such a prejudiced company. I will be keeping my online journal somewhere else, and when I find an acceptable alternative, I will let you know where to find it. I encourage you all to write to Livejournal and tell them how disappointed you are with their decision to censor personal expression and academic discussion.

Wed, 18 Apr 2007 07:46:32 GMT

Stupid Ikea. They don't have the barstools I want anymore :(

Lame.

Mon, 16 Apr 2007 21:31:24 GMT

I got an A on a 30% essay from a teacher who is an incredibly hard marker. I am happy and surprised, particularly because I didn't read the whole article I was writing about and because I made things up.

It just goes to show how meaningless university marks really are. I worked really hard on the first essay, which was really clear and intelligent, and only got a B+. And then for the second paper I threw some meaningless analytic babble together and got an A.

I would prefer a pass/fail system in universities. I hate grades and how they don't make any sense.

At least I'm getting good grades though...

Mon, 09 Apr 2007 19:36:10 GMT

The words of former child soldiers:

"When they came to my village, they asked my older brother whether he was ready to join the militia. He was just 17 and he said no; they shot him in the head. Then they asked me if I was ready to sign, so what could I do - I didn't want to die." A former child soldier taken when he was 13. (BBC report.) (Democratic Republic of the Congo)

"Being new, I couldn't perform the very difficult exercises properly and so I was beaten every morning. Two of my friends in the camp died because of the beatings. The soldiers buried them in the latrines. I am still thinking of them". Former child soldier interviewed in 2002. (Democratic Republic of the Congo)

"Early on when my brothers and I were captured, the LRA [Lord's Resistance Army] explained to us that all five brothers couldn´t serve in the LRA because we would not perform well. So they tied up my two younger brothers and invited us to watch. Then they beat them with sticks until two of them died. They told us it would give us strength to fight. My youngest brother was nine years old." Former child soldier, aged 13. (Uganda)

"They give you a gun and you have to kill the best friend you have. They do it to see if they can trust you. If you don't kill him, your friend will be ordered to kill you. I had to do it because otherwise I would have been killed. That's why I got out. I couldn't stand it any longer." 17-year-old boy, joined paramilitary group aged 7, when a street child. (Columbia)

Fri, 23 Feb 2007 05:21:04 GMT

In other news, I got my first essay back... A+

^_^

Fri, 16 Feb 2007 07:46:44 GMT

In Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and Texas, it is illegal to sell or distribute sex toys. WTF?

A constitutional challenge to this was brought forward in Alabama in 1998 by the American Civil Liberties Union, and the decision was just made. The law was UPHELD. Yes. Upheld. In 2007. In a Western country. There are really no other words besides WTF.

"11th Circuit Court of Appeals Says: No Fundamental Right to Sex Toys
By Michael Hayes
Thursday, February 15, 2007

In a unanimous opinion, a three-judge panel for the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld an Alabama statute banning the commercial distribution of sex toys, saying that there is no fundamental right to privacy raised by the plaintiff’s case against the law.

According to the statute, it is “unlawful for any person to knowingly distribute any obscene material or any device designed or marketed as useful primarily for the stimulation of human genital organs.”

In 1998, the Alabama chapter of the ACLU brought suit on behalf of several plaintiffs — chief among them adult toy retailer Sherri Williams — seeking to enjoin the statute. The recent ruling by the 11th Circuit marks the third trip through the appellate process for the case. "

Rest of the story: http://www.xbiz.com/news_piece.php?id=19668

Wed, 20 Dec 2006 09:00:00 GMT

Your Political Profile:

Overall: 20% Conservative, 80% Liberal

Social Issues: 0% Conservative, 100% Liberal

Personal Responsibility: 0% Conservative, 100% Liberal

Fiscal Issues: 50% Conservative, 50% Liberal

Ethics: 0% Conservative, 100% Liberal

Defense and Crime: 50% Conservative, 50% Liberal

How Liberal Or Conservative Are You?

You've Experienced 56% of Life

You have a good deal of life experience, about as much as someone in their late 20s.
You've seen and done enough to be quite wise, but you still have a lot of life to look forward to.

How Much Life Experience Do You Have?

You Are Very Thin

Your BMI is 17.4 - a healthy BMI falls between 18.5 and 25

Don't lose any weight. You already are quite slender.
You could even gain a few pounds if you wanted.
Indulge yourself every once and a while!

Don't agree? Blame the government standards we based this test on!

Do You Need to Lose Weight?

Your Lust Quotient: 86%

Your lust is totally out of control. You definitely have let your animal instincts take over.
And while your unbridled desire is attractive to some, most people see you as a bit of a freak!

How Much Lust Do You Have?

Your Life is 80% Perfect

Your life is pretty darn perfect. You don't have much to complain about.
Of course, your life is occasionally less than perfect. But you're usually too happy to notice.

How Perfect is Your Life?

You Are 20% Pure

You've either done it, thought about it, or at least heard about it.
Luckily, there's a few things left for you to try!

How Pure Are You?

Your Learning Style: Unconventional and Insightful

You are very intuitive and ingenious. You're attracted to any field of study that lets you break the rules.

You Should Study:

Art
Art history
Architecture
Comparative religions
Eastern religion
Education
Music
Philosophy

What Should You Study?

Thu, 23 Nov 2006 06:46:17 GMT

The test of courage comes when we are in the minority. The test of tolerance comes when we are in the majority. ~Ralph W. Sockman

Wed, 22 Nov 2006 21:13:09 GMT

I have never heard of this person

What Classic Pin-Up Are You?

You're Brigitte Bardot!
Take this quiz!

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Wed, 22 Nov 2006 01:20:05 GMT

"This too I know - and wise it were
If each could know the same -
That every prison that men build
Is built with bricks of shame,
And bound with bars lest Christ should see
How men their brothers maim."

Oscar Wilde.

Thu, 16 Nov 2006 18:20:30 GMT

Brunette/Blonde

You scored 33% brunettepref, 41% blondepref, and 25% redheadpref!

You seem to be a little conflicted. You want a popular girl who is also shy and smart? Well, good luck finding your dream girl stud. You like the BRUNETTE/BLONDE. A girl with all the flirty fun and looks of a blonde and all the quiet charm and romance of a brunette. Or maybe you just want a bleach blonde, with dark roots....?

My test tracked 3 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:

You scored higher than 27% on brunettepref
You scored higher than 80% on blondepref
You scored higher than 23% on redheadpref

Link: The Blonde, Brunette, or Redhead Test written by rumplesmintz on OkCupid, home of the The Dating Persona Test

Wed, 18 Oct 2006 07:19:12 GMT

How Old is Your Inner Child?

My inner child is sixteen years old!

Life's not fair! It's never been fair, but while adults might just accept that, I know something's gotta change. And it's gonna change, just as soon as I become an adult and get some power of my own.
Take this quiz!

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Thu, 12 Oct 2006 02:58:36 GMT

I think I just did really well on my crim midterm!!! yay!

Fri, 15 Sep 2006 00:52:14 GMT

Third Annual Exotic Goddess Night:
A SEXPO for Women

Who: For women-only!

What: A SEXPO to raise awareness and funds for PACE Society, a non-profit organization that supports and advocates for sex worker safety and inclusion in the Downtown Eastside. There will be pole dance lessons, lap dance lessons, kinky sex lessons, free hair, makeup, massage, airbrush tattoos, dirty little secrets box, sex toy booth, chocolate penises, entertainment, a silent auction and more!

Why: By, with, and for sex workers - PACE Society promotes safer working conditions by reducing harm and isolation through education and support. We believe that sex workers are valuable members of our community and are entitled to the same rights as all other human beings.

When: Friday, September 29, 2006 6:00pm until 10:00pm

Where: Gecko Club, 518 Richards Street, Vancouver

How: $30 per person (includes a gift bag full of sexprises!) Tickets may be purchased: at the door, in advance at 32 Books, (3185 Edgemont Blvd., North Vancouver), or by calling 604-872-7651.

To reserve tickets, email pace-admin@telus.net with the number of tickets you need.

Thu, 24 Aug 2006 18:39:34 GMT

I got an A in my History of Philosophy course!!!!

Motherfucker, I hated that course sooo much.

Tue, 01 Aug 2006 21:20:40 GMT

"I think that God, in creating man, somewhat overestimated his ability"

-Oscar Wilde

Thu, 06 Jul 2006 14:50:53 GMT

"Kids to argue age discrimination
Rights tribunal rules in disability suitDecision not law until adopted by courts
Jun. 28, 2006. 06:36 AM
ANNA PIEKARSKI
STAFF REPORTER

Every person has a right to equal treatment with respect to services, goods and facilities, without discrimination because of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, family status or disability.
— Ontario Human Rights Code

In what could be a big win for little people, children under the age of 18 may now be able to complain they are being discriminated against due to their age, according to a ruling by the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.

"It does have potential to open up a lot of complaints," said Cheryl Milne, a staff lawyer at Justice for Children and Youth, of the ruling made last Friday.

Since the tribunal is a quasi-judicial body, the decision is not law unless it is adopted or cited by the courts.

But age discrimination could be considered, for example, in cases of teenagers lingering in coffee shops who are asked to leave, or youths who are not allowed to buy items because of their age.

"It's a big deal," Milne said. "They've never had any recourse before."

The tribunal is currently involved in a hearing where 118 disabled children are claiming the province is discriminating against them. The children, who have autism or Asperger's Disorder, receive provincially funded therapy until they are 6 years old.

Many of the children never get treatment because they are on a waiting list to receive the treatment, known as Applied Behaviour Analysis, and become too old before a spot is available.

"We believe people should have equal access to this therapy," said Hélène Mogyorodi, who spends $1,400 a month on therapy for her 9-year-old autistic son Sam.

The parents argue that their children are being discriminated against because of their disabilities while the province argued it is actually age discrimination.

If a person is under 18, Ontario's Human Rights Code does not currently allow them to claim age discrimination.

Last week the tribunal ruled against the province, saying that not allowing the children to claim discrimination based on their age would be a violation of rights guaranteed in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

"In the Commission's view, children will be treated equally only if they are allowed access to the human rights regime the same as adults," vice-chair Patricia E. DeGuire wrote in her decision.

"If the answer would have been no, they couldn't talk about age," said Sharon Ffolkes-Abraham, a lawyer at the Ontario Human Rights Commission.

The hearing on whether the autistic children are being discriminated against continues."

link to article

Thu, 15 Jun 2006 19:43:19 GMT

I'M DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

No school until July 3rd, woohoo!!

Tue, 13 Jun 2006 03:23:02 GMT

I had martinis for the first time the other night. I tried 3 different kinds, and didn't like any of them. Boo.

Fri, 02 Jun 2006 04:46:12 GMT

I skipped school today to have hot sex.

Then I did some homework that was difficult.

In the evening I ate some ice cream. Hmm..that was my day.

Fri, 12 May 2006 17:33:08 GMT

http://www.itv.com/news/britain_1732038.html

Mum slams school massages
12.02PM, Thu May 11 2006

A mother has withdrawn her five-year-old daughter from school after it introduced massages for pupils.

The massages are between the children at St Leonard's Community Infant School in Horsham who take it on turns to gently draw on each other's necks and shoulders while the teacher reads them a story.

The headteacher, backed by trhe local council, defended the therapy saying it has improved pupils concentration levels.

But 41-year-old Mrs Susan Barraclough, a teacher herself, maintains the massages are inappropriate because kids, unlike teachers, do not undergo protection checks. She is now teaching her daughter at home.

She said: "I understand there were some concerns from parents who were worried the sessions were being taken by adults.

"When they found out that the massaging would in fact be done by the children themselves, a lot of them seemed to be happy with that. But the children, unlike the adults that work at the school, haven't had protection checks run on them."

She added: "It's all very concerning, particularly as the sessions are cross-sex involving girls and boys. What will be the long-term effect?"

Mrs Barraclough said she declined the school's offer to put her daughter in another room during the 15-minute sessions, because she feared she would be ridiculed by classmates for being outside.

St Leonard's headteacher Helen Cobbin said: "It's not just some weird or wacky thing. People hear the word massage and worry what that means, but as soon as they see what happens they are completely at ease.

"The children enjoy it. We have noticed considerable improvements in concentration and their readiness to learn and they have a greater awareness of each other's feelings.

"It has had a positive impact on social skills and we have fewer incidents to resolve between children."

--

What will be the long term effect of boys and girls giving each other massages at age 5? I think that's the wrong question dearie. Perhaps you should be asking, What are the long term effects of being raised by a mother who thinks that touching is wrong and bad?

She's going to raise one fucked up child I can tell you that. Jesus Christ.

Thu, 02 Mar 2006 18:59:16 GMT

I got 94% on my environmental ethics midterm paper!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fri, 24 Feb 2006 07:46:04 GMT

<td align="center">
Ethical Egoism

A set of ethics which dictates that you must make the right choices for yourself at all times thinking of both the short term and long term effects. Essentially if everyone made decisions which created positive benefits for themselves, they would all be acting ethically because they would be true to themselves.

<table width="300" style="border: 1px solid grey;">

How you scored, compared to others taking this quiz:

You
Other Quiz Takers

Judeo-Christian

Utilitarianism

Kantian Ethics

Ethical Egoism

Ancient Greek Ethics

'What ethical system do you fit in with?' at QuizGalaxy.com</td></table>

Mon, 20 Feb 2006 20:42:49 GMT

My right to be free of harm outweighs your right to convenience.

Therefore, it is NOT ok to smoke in public.

(As much as the whiners in the vancouver community would like to believe otherwise)

Mutiny at Blenz on Hastings..

Mon, 06 Feb 2006 10:33:39 GMT

Ahaha, I am celebrating the sweet, sweet revenge of people I don't even know. Workers of the world unite!!!