Um, Clarify?

[holly_evolving]

I should explain something. I understand why some people think that my loyalties are lying in some crazy place because of my stance on Mystic Realms. So:

I do not have a personal issue with any member of the MR, Ltd. staff or any of their "favorites." I do, however have issues with certain of Tony Kukal's business practises (this dates back to my time as a manager, but I've never had the opportunity to speak to him privately about it. And I have TRIED, but he doesn't return my phone calls.), and his reaction to free speech.

I understand and agree with the banning of people who steal status, even if I like at least one of them (I don't know who all did it.)

I have never, ever, agreed with the banning of someone for what they have said in a public, non-official forum. A letter, sure. An explanation as to how MR will be on the prosecution's side should they personally be sued for what was said--smart idea. But banning? I believe in freedom of speech.

Which brings me to:
I know that many of the people who were banned enjoyed making fun of me. I don't care. I did once, but I grew up. With one exception, none of them ever took it into character or threatened to do so. None of them have been rude to me, even if they have been rude about me. I believe in freedom of ALL speech, even if that speech is used to bash me.

I cannot financially support an organization that does not support my beliefs with its policies.

Game on.

Comments

[shushanna.livejournal.com]

If you are so adamant about Freedom of Speech, why do you screen these comments?

It's a rhetorical question, because we both know why: It's because it's YOUR lj. You aren't under any obligation to let someone post whatever they want on your lj. It's private. Does that mean you don't believe in Freedom of Speech? Of course not. And neither Tony nor MR have impeded anyone's ability to say whatever they want. Even now the very group of banned people are continuing to be as negative and offensive as they were before they were banned, excersizing their Freedom of Speech. But they never had the Freedom or Right to go to MR. MR has the authority to not allow them to participate in a privately owned game, just as you have the authority and the right to screen your comments.

It's exactly the same concept.

[holly-evolving.livejournal.com]

And I'm not demanding that Tony take back the bannings. It's his right to refuse the use of his private game to anyone he sees fit. And it's my right to dislike the reason for which he reached that decision in certain instances. It is also my right to believe that with the number of people MR has lost, either intentionally or unintentionally, and not including myself, the game will suffer an increase of cheesiness. End of story.

I'd never even considered returning to MR until Tony asked me about it in May, and I wish I could take back what I said to him then. I tried, but I never got ahold of him.