A google search on “site:mailman.anu.edu.au Bob Bain soxkat” reveals that I used the soxkat domain frequently when posting to the ANU Link list (Australian National University)

Some of my entries were deemed controversial.

Banning Cornwall isn’t feasible. Anyway here’s what Trevor emailed me this morning regarding Philip Argy.

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dear Bob, I read your bit you put in on on 22nd December.

It made sense in some ways, but I could not really see what his point was.
Judging by the amount of sex with children that has gone on through the ages
as well as now, it is ‘normal’ however distasteful.

After all, people had shorter lives and marriage was important politically,
socially and for kinship reasons. We ‘keep’ humans as children much longer
than we used to. they used to be sent to work as soon as possible and treated
like little adults with adult responsibilities.

And with according respect. personally I don’t really like children so the idea of physical intimacy is even more distasteful but it is hypocritical for people to moan on about it
all the time indignantly when even toddlers are sexualized – at least in UK
and USA with sexy clothes and sexy writing on their clothes – chosen by their
parents. And on their tv progs all the young teens are at it like rabbits.
If ‘they’ are going to censor films ‘n’ books and that they should censor
children’s clothes. The children don’t have a real choice about what they are
wearing, and we don’t have a choice seeing them in clothes. But people have a
choice to look at ‘mucky’ films or books.

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I’m currently evaluating this. Points raised…

Sex with children has been “normal” over the ages but distasteful
People in previous centuries had shorter lives
Marriage used to be more important than it is now
We keep humans as children longer than we used to
Child labour used to be the norm
Young teens are at it like rabbits on tv (in Cornwall)
Children don’t have a choice about what they are wearing
If they are going to censor films and books they should censor kiddy clothes
We don’t have a choice seeing them (children) in clothes
People have a choice to look at mucky films and books

Trevor prefers cats to children. BTW: There are an awful lot of cats on the Internet. You may or may not know the story of Sox the Kat and the alternate network to Fidonet (Katnet) but if you don’t you are forgiven. I used to email as bobb@soxkat.com until my link with soxkat.com came to grief.

To read about sox the kat – http://sox.soxkat.com/

There’s plenty of interesting material in that NSW enquiry, yes. As Senator Conroy would say, though, technology has moved on. The cultural arguments are perhaps still valid, and maybe I’ll have more to say about that when I’ve read it properly.

http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/Prod/parlment/committee.nsf/0/030e66805420d081ca256f1e0019e00a/$FILE/Classification%20Bill%20-%20Final%20Report.PDF

Inquiry into the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Enforcement Amendment Bill 2001.

Page 38 covers Mandatory filtering of objectionable content

7.24 This section examines whether it is feasible or desirable to require:
· the blocking of all objectionable content by ISPs, and
· the use of filters on individual computers to block access to material unsuitable for
minors at sites where minors use computers.

7.25 The first key question is whether this scenario would be possible. The second question is whether it would be culturally appropriate as a way of meeting the policy objectives of the Act. The Committee acknowledges that implementation of this option is highly unlikely but has included it for the sake of completeness.

There are various arguments against such a proposal. The final outcome was that the Standing Committee on Social Issues effectively blocked the proposed legislation which I believe is still in limbo.

The first 10 minutes of Philip Argy’s address is here:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoKutC7qvVw

BTW Sapia Pty Ltd has a telephone number at sapia.com.au. This is presumably the company that is causing grief for Senator Conroy at the moment.

One of the key issues here is that the opponents of the mandatory filtering plan, as it currently stands, are in furious agreement with each other but engaging in activities like changing their Twitter avatar black which will have precisely zero impact upon government policy.

Senator Kate Lundy and Penny Sharpe MLC have taken a brave stance, given the central-control nature of modern political parties. I wish them well.

Someone said to me yesterday that the anti-filtering folks need to fine their eloquent spokesperson.

On that front, Senator Kate Lundy has had a go here: http://www.katelundy.com.au/2009/12/17/my-thoughts-on-the-filter/

But I will leave with a ‘courageous’ Labor Member of the NSW Legislative Council, The Hon Penny Sharpe, who is against, here: http://pennysharpe.com/redleather/15/12/2009/why_the_internet_filter_is_not_the_solution_we_wish_it_was