Comments on: Sex and Politics: Australia’s New Political Party takes on the Mandatory Internet Filter

By: Andrew Knight

Andrew Knight — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 23:33:00 +0000

Luke, excellent article. People must take into consideration all areas where this filter could potentially block and unfortunately, sex/adult is the biggest – clearly. There are many dodgy websites out there by the hundreds of thousands no doubt, however not one government can deem what is and what’s not appropriate for their country. Certain things can be installed to prevent such illicit material and the government should be focusing more on protection on our computers, providing better software that still allows us to be in control.

- Andrew Knight

By: Sam Clifford

Sam Clifford — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 21:58:25 +0000

I agree with many of those dot point policies except for their proposed reform of the electoral system. It’s going to be very difficult to implement a forced gender equality in our electoral systems without moving to something like gender-based list proportional representation.

That having been said, if we can have political parties who want to stamp out pornography, it can only be healthy for the debate to have a party who want to strengthen the legal standing of pornography.

By: Luke Gilkerson

Luke Gilkerson — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 14:51:51 +0000

Greg,

Personally, I am not all that in favor of this filter as it currently stands because of the technological problems they are finding with implementing it. There are other ways of achieving the ends they want without limiting freedoms or creating subpar technology.

As for censorship in general, I realize that it is a slippery slope for governments to stand on, but one they’ve been standing on for a long time, so I’m not opposed to it with the right parameters.

As for the “book written before the Internet,” I would hate to accuse you of chronological snobbery, claiming that older books are irrelevant for new audiences. I know you could come up with dozens of examples of good, older books that speak powerfully to modern audiences. So please, explain why you are worried.

By: Greg

Greg — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 21:43:19 +0000

Interesting post. That said, are you in favour of this filter or not?

I see that you’re opposed to pornography on the basis that a book written before the internet provides an accurate and adapted guide to how the internet should be used. I find that slightly worrying.

Do you think internet filtering is an appropriate way to stop what you perceive as a pornography problem?

By: Verpligte Pornografie Internet Filter « Nuustak

Verpligte Pornografie Internet Filter « Nuustak — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 06:15:50 +0000

[...] Pornografie Internet Filter Ek lees op die Breaking Free Webtuiste van ‘n verpligte Internetfilter wat oorweeg word in Australië. Intussen het die [...]

By: Daniel

Daniel — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 20:30:49 +0000

The word “mandatory” should not be used by any cause, no matter how pure the intentions are. God gave mankind free will, and rulers (even the majority) have no more right than any of us to tell and force other people how to live. A free society would allow people to do things that God does not desire. But by resorting to an unfree society to force God’s will on other people will only create other evils while being completely inept at rooting out the evil being targeted. Alcohol prohibition serves as a good lesson of what happens when we force people to do things against their will. More people abused and died from alcohol DURING prohibition, while the black market created by this government legislation created and empowered organized crime. This is also seen in the current “war on drugs.”

By: Vicky

Vicky — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:35:54 +0000

received a notification in my facebook site about you. I am glad you are fighting pornography. We have a group that goes to the Las Vegas Porn Convention once a year and we share the love of God with them.

Thanks for all you do,
Vicky Whitington

By: Riaan Oosthuysen

Riaan Oosthuysen — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:10:57 +0000

Great article