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I have been disgusted by the treatment of certain individuals on this website. Artist and art critic alike have been crucified on the boards here and it has been appalling.

There has been a certain amount of censorship that has taken place on this, the battlefield of the First Amendment. A website that promotes, above all, a means of expression by those on the fringe of society, has been turned into another place where the words "Freedom of Speech, just watch what you say" have started to ring true.

Unfortunately, it is against the moral values of some people who frequent this site to critique art. Now, while the art critics themselves do not always convey their meanings in the most tact of ways, it is unbearable to watch some people slagged for putting their opinions forward, while those who do the slagging are praised and touted for their censorship.

I planned on writing a full essay tonight regarding this, but, I am not in the best frame of mind to do so. I will write it though and will most likely be slagged as well.

This is not a place of opinion anymore. As soon as a "Moral Majority" starts to form this place becomes a shell of what it once was.

I tried to remove all my favorite Suicide Girls. Not because I despise them or am disgusted by them. I'm sure they are beautiful people whom, if I had met them, would undoubtedly be someone that I would be able to consider as a friend. I tried to remove them because one of the reasons there is a "Moral Majority" is due to the deification of mortals that we are all forced to partake in.

Some people believe they are above criticism. Anyone who creates any sort of art is not above criticism. A critique of art, while not always wanted, is a necessity and sometimes that necessity comes with a barb attached and that is what the censors here would like to stop. They want to cut the tongue from those who do not agree with them wholly regarding the art that is put forth on this site everyday. Unfortunately, the pedestal that Censorship sits on is higher than the platform where Opinion dwells.

It is because of this censorship that I will write my essay. I am not writing it because I feel like I have something important to say. It is because I am an artist and that is what I do.

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Edited for clarity:

I know that is not why she was kicked off. I am definitely in agreeance with that and she messed up. I know. It's not so much the fact that anyone was booted or anything like that, it is the fact that this a place that basically promotes art. Whether it be nudes, music, visual mediums, etc. For every piece of art out there, there is a critic who is waiting to speak their mind on it.

I read her statement and it was not offensive. Could she have exhibited more tact, yes. But, we are all aware that there are many more people here who are SG's that have said much nastier and offensive things to their "sisters."

I'm not condoning her statement nor am I defending her act of promotion. She is in the wrong on that. I just do not see why some people feel above criticism in their art. I can see why someone would take it personally. All artists do take it as a personal afront when someone says something about their work that isn't nice or ego-boosting. But I don't see why a big deal was made about it. There SO many more negative posts about that set that no one has even jumped upon.

I personally liked the set and would kiss Daje on the mouth (YAH SUKKA!!! I WOULD) but I believe her comment was taken way out of text.

I'm not writing a specific essay, just a generaliztion about the nature between artist and critic. Nothing more.

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Edited again: I would like to apologize for saying "battlefield of the First Amendment."

That is possibly the cheeziest thing I have ever said and I'm sorry I assaulted anyone's intelligence with such ballyhoo.

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Edited again: I would like to apologize for saying "ballyhoo."

That is possibly the second most cheezy thing I have ever said and I'm sorry I assaulted anyone's intelligence with such wonkiness.