cleanfeed and wikipedia

[David Hansen]

On 8 Dec 2008 at 11:09, Michael Procter wrote:

> Yes, there is clearly a reason to prevent people scanning the list,

The question is whether the reason is valid.

> but
> you are right about the potential risks of automatic block lists without
> the possibility of review.

Fortunately this image is one which can easily be reviewed. 
<http://images.google.co.uk/images?hl=en&q=scorpions "virgin killer"> 
will pull up numerous copies of the image concerned. Do take a look and 
decide for yourself whether it is indecent or not. Personally I don't 
particularly like it for several reasons, but it is not indecent.

The Wikipedia article at <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virgin_Killer> 
has a good but short discussion of the history and the pros and cons of 
the image. It is worth reading and, leaving aside the image, there is 
no reason at all why IWF should have banned the article text other than 
their own stupidity and arrogance (though perhaps stupidity and 
arrogance are two sides of the same coin).

I have always had grave reservations about the IWF, which consists of a 
bunch of people who think they are superior dictating things to the 
rest of us. They have always hidden behind the arrogant, "if you saw 
what we see you would agree with us", line. This image and the actions 
IWF took over it conclusively destroys that argument once and for all.

I note that the Home Office are being very quiet, despite encouraging  
IWF.

This is not an issue of indecency, it is an issue of those with power 
trying to dictate things to us plebs. New Labour, New Britain.

-- 
  David Hansen, Edinburgh 
 I will *always* explain revoked encryption keys, unless RIP prevents 
me   
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/00023--e.htm#54