Sick of linked politics

Monday May 31st 2004

While I am in support of free speech on the internet, what pisses me off more than anything else (and in turn ruins a good web site, almost) is when someone decides to link to a political web page of some kind. My definition of a “political” web page is any page or web site that pertains to:

- The war in Iraq
- The government of any country
- “Rights” being lost
- “Rights” being gained (by the wrong people usually)
- Trying to free someone in jail
- Censorship

..and I’m sure you can think of a few more.

Why does this piss me off when people “link politics” like this? It’s for the simple reason that it’s so convenient and easy to link to a page rather than write something about what you care about.

Example: Over the years, I have literally seen what is probably thousands of web pages with the “Free Speech Online” classic rotating blue ribbon banner from EFF. Most people don’t even know what EFF means (which is Electronic Frontier Foundation by the way). If you feel the need to link to that web page from your web site, then you should explain on your web site WHY you are doing it, even if it is only one sentence long. Most web site admins when asked why they have that banner on their web site will state “to support free speech”. Well, if that’s the case, explain yourself. You shouldn’t expect a link to do all the talking for you.

The proper answer if ever asked why you put an EFF banner on your site should be: “To protect my digital rights so I can freely state whatever I want on my web site.” Note the word digital in there. EFF has everything to do with electronic free speech.

To all web site admins out there: If you’re gonna link to a political web page or web site, explain your reason for doing it. When you do, you will attract more people to click on the link. I mean, sheesh, I would if you gave me a good reason to do it.

Here’s my link to EFF, and here’s my explanation of why I linked it: I support the right for anyone to place anything they want on their web site(s), because remember, the right to free speech does not protect the content you want to see or hear, it protects the content you don’t want to see or hear, like Ogrish. So, before you start waving the “I want my free speech” EFF banner, think of the most vile, grotesque, disgusting and morally obstinate web site you can think of. Would you support their right to free speech? I would, because it’s their right to do it.

rss feed for this article's comments

comments and pings are closed for this article

« Trailer trash and teenage girlsDepressed »