Basket.

Has it really been two weeks since the last update? Man, time flies.

Weblogs have been in the news again lately, what with the arrest and charging of three for making racist remarks on their individual sites. The good old debate on freedom of speech rages anew, and the just as venerable self-righteous and morally outraged brigade is at it again.

With the majority of weblogs belonging to students (as this one once did), the current hot topic puts our young once more into the spotlight. Namely, what exactly they should or should not put up on their own personal web spaces. Indeed, the self-righteous and morally outraged sector of our population is up to its old tricks in suggesting that student bloggers better play nice, line up quietly and put their fingers to their lips as they go for recess. No gesture could be a more potent symbol.

I by no means support racism, and I think that lot deserved having criminal charges filed against them. I also understand libel laws perfectly and why they are there, and that freedom of speech must have its limits. However, some of the examples and punishments that have been cited are quite plainly ridiculous, and some of the letters are obnoxiously self-righteous.

For instance, a student had strong disciplinary action taken against her for calling her teacher a "prude" on her blog. I am fairly sure that isn't libel. In fact, it's barely an insult. For that, she got suspended and her parents notified. Someone who maybe stole, fought or smoked in the school toilets might get the same thing. Do you see how silly it is now? There are a million worse things to be called, and a thousand worse things the teacher had probably been called ever. I would understand the school's actions if it was an insult or threat made against the teacher and his/her entire family, but something so light? It's asinine. What is more, certain teachers have visited their students blogs and warned them against using foul language. That's even sillier. I have made it clear before and will make it clear to anyone who dares suggest something like that to me in future that this is my blog and I will fucking well use as many cunting swear-words as I bloody well like in my posts. It is no one else's business. So there. And what authority do teachers have over students outside of school, anyway? All should be considered equal outside of school.

This entire thing has led to readers calling for students to be "educated" on how to use their blogs more responsibly. One has suggested that some students actually comment on issues like racism and current affairs simply to show themselves to be "daring and open-minded". Yes, that's the way. Take the condescending, high-minded, self-righteous stand. Students are always young and irresponsible, and it is the job of their elders to lead them onto the right path of illumination. I will come right out and call it a load of bullshit, and anyone is welcome to quote me on that. Has it ever occurred to any of you that when we express opinions, it might actually mean that we have opinions to express? That we do not do it just for the sake of appearing "daring and open-minded"? Or that much of what you would call irresponsible behaviour is not actually that? Like calling your teacher a "prude". That, by no measurement except your high-handed one, can be considered an irresponsible remark.

Our students have a hard time of it. They lead incredibly stressful lifestyles, constantly having to manage and handle a seemingly never-ending number of activities even while they face the usual emotional or physical changes of growing up. I know, because I've been there. Many times, they may start a weblog simply to let it all out, as a place for them to vent. Which incidentally is why I started one, myself. What is wrong with giving our students some leeway to let out their frustrations in writing? Why come down like a ton of bricks on them for a remark that is barely even an insult, let alone defamation? Be more forgiving and understanding. But maybe people just can't, because so many of them just fail to understand what kind of life a Singaporean student in the present leads.

Really, the morally indignant can take their views and shove them. I am sick and tired of hearing their high-handed comments. The age of OB Markers may be over, but people still subscribe to the view. And since we're in catchphrase land, it is they who are in the ivory tower, not the young.