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The Constitution of our country protects your free speech and encourages “lively” debate. Hundreds of people each day are logging on and reading their neighbors’ opinions and many are enjoying the freedom of expressing their own. I feel it is a privilege for me to be able to provide an area in cyberspace where we all have the opportunity to speak our minds about local issues and take a renewed interest in our first amendment rights. As you read the comments please understand that I do not take an active role in editing. This protects me legally and makes me a distributor of information. I am providing no more than an electronic bulletin board where anyone may post a message. Under these circumstances the legal burden of comments falls upon the writers (where it should be). Those who write are responsible for the words they choose. There are very few comments made on these boards that I feel would be considered libelous by an informed court. Most are the opinions of our neighbors and a few are “hurtful” statements that serve no purpose other than to be hurtful. You should be aware that if you do commit libel, or the courts perceive it to be libel, and the injured party decides to prosecute, the courts can trace the message back to the machine you used and most likely, to you. Be very careful in choosing your words when attempting to make a statement. I do not wish for anyone to get into trouble. Simply avoid making libelous or harassing statements and refrain from being hurtful! On the other hand, lively debate is important to the freedoms we enjoy today and is very much encouraged on these boards. I wish for everyone to know that besides making these boards freely available I have instituted two other good faith measures. The first is to move hate related and profane messages to the trash bin. I understand how silly it may seem to have a trash bin, but you do have a choice to read it or not (as you have with all the boards). This is an unedited bulletin board and all comments will remain in their original form whether on the normal boards or in the trash bin. If I edit I then become liable for everyone’s statements and that is not going to happen. In good faith I also have an area where anyone who is libeled or harassed may have a comment removed. Just fill out the form and send it in. I caution everyone to use this good faith gesture very carefully and wisely. The wonderful part about Internet expression is that all people have the same opportunity to express their views. Sometimes the best way to combat a troubling statement about oneself is to simply get on a computer and set the record straight. What you do is up to you. This is a gift I am proud to be able to provide but please use it wisely as you enjoy your seemingly newfound freedom of speech in this new age. Be assured that more good things are on the way at West Virginia Home! |