Nudophobia at BART

BART may ban ads which include nudity,
sexuality, et cetera.



Wannabee censors claim that muzzling free expression will
"maintain a safe and welcoming environment
for all BART passengers.''


Under proposed new rules,
censorship decisions would be
based on "community standards".
What does that mean,
in a diverse Bay Area?
And in specific cases?


A Chronicle reporter, Rachel Gordon,
raises this question astutely:
"For example, would the "real women'' advertising
campaign for Dove firming cream,
which last summer blanketed the stations with
images of women of various sizes
scantily clad in their underwear,
have been declared a no-no
had the new policy been in place? "


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SUN comments:

A censored environment may be duller,
but it won't be safer.

And what thinking person will feel more welcome after debate is silenced?
If BART can censor a Catholic ad today,
whose viewpoint may be silenced tomorrow?


Freedom is the core value for almost all Americans
-- right, center, left, other.
By making us less free, BART attacks America's heart.


And its mind.
Censorship may ban ads which irritate one faction or another,
but it will also ban ads which make us think.


Socrates told the Athenian jury that
a fine horse needs a gadfly to keep it awake.
Citizens replied by voting for the ultimate censorship.




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For details, please read Gordon's report, in the Chron
or on its sfGate website::

.......
BART considers instituting tough new ad policy

Rachel Gordon,
[SF] Chronicle Staff Writer
Saturday, July 29, 2006
........


http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/07/29/BAGHOK7NTK1.DTL


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PS:
.......
Will CastroWeen be banned?

http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2006/07/29/18292658.php
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