Nancy Lazaryan said... I had many, many emails with Bob J. before I decided to delete my comments from the blog.
I told Bob that I was very busy this week and that I would write an article that he could post. Instead, he started this topic.
Below is what I sent Bob, with a few minor edits:
Freedom of Speech
in a Non-Public Forum
In this fast changing internet world of information overload, an issue concerning “Free of Speech” on this blog was hotly debated between Bob Johnson and myself prior to my decision to delete my comments from the ADemocracy blog.
The ADemocracy blog is a non-public forum, a “new” media, as the newspaper, radio and television are medias. I have been an editor of a widely circulated magazine, have published my own newspaper and have had my articles published in various trade magazines.
I am fully aware and in support of Bob Johnson’s authority to censor the content of his blog. The ADemocracy blog is a PRIVATE enterprise, and controlling the comments that are placed upon his blog is his right.
Just as a person does not have the right to yell “Fire” in a theater, when there is no fire (an action of disruptive speech in a private enterprise), people, such as Bill Dahn, do not have the absolute right to disrupt the blog by posting off-topic, seditious comments.
However, I was unaware that any particular person had been specifically censored from posting any comments on the blog, when last week, Bill Dahn responded to a comment I had posted.
The comment Bill Dahn had made was thoughtful and on point. An anonymous poster then immediately responded with an inflammatory comment, making personal attacks upon Bill Dahn. I then commented on how the anonymous person was disrupting the blog. Bob J. deleted these three comments.
The blog now posts the topic: “The following people are banned permanently from using this forum to advance their agendas. Bill Dahn, Sharon Anderson and Nancy Lazaryan.”
Exactly what does this mean?
The comment of Bill Dahn that was deleted was not a comment that was “using the forum to advance his agenda”. I understand that Bill Dahn has used the blog, in the past to advance his own agenda.
When have I used the blog to “advance my agenda”?
I have written my opinions concerning the issues, and backed up my comments, with research and law.
“My agenda” is that the Citizens learn what their rights are, and find a way to work together to stop the abuses being perpetrated upon us by our employees, those who work for us in government.
We are at a very serious crisis in our country. Citizens need to wake up, fast, and put aside certain differences, or we will all be lost.
I do not have the time to argue over petty issues when, very soon, we may be loosing all of our secured rights.
Lawsuits are not the solution, as our courts fall to do their duty to uphold our constitutions.
There is a meeting being scheduled with the Governor, next week I am speaking before the Supreme Court Advisory Committee, many bills that "we" are working on will be introduced this legislative session (including one concerning the grand jury),
I will be traveling across the state for speaking engagements, and then there is the jury trial I need to prepare for because of my arresting Bob Humphrey, not to mention the civil actions that I am involved in.
Personally, I believe there are adult, civil ways that we can work with people like Bill Dahn and Sharon Anderson; not to mention George, Froggy and many anonymous posters that have posted bigoted, vile and foul language.
Regretfully, Bob Johnson and I disagree on this point. And, it is his blog.
I have no right to tell Bob how to manage his media, but I do have the ability to choose whether I will participate.
I choose to work with people that see the value in others, and strive towards working together.
It is my opinion that Bill Dahn and Sharon Anderson have value, and that we should find ways of working together, instead of using our energies to destroy each other.
Nancy Lazaryan
