More news broken via Twitter...Who would have though that the whole Kathy Sierra mysogynistic death threat fiasco would make it to the mainstream news media?
Well, it has, and this is no belated April Fool's joke.
I'm not going to go into the whole background of this story, because it's sort of been talked to death already, but this morning I learned via Nick Wilson's twitter feed that Kathy was on CNN this morning with Chris "Rageboy" Locke, the owner of the blogs that pubished the death threats. Unfortunately I found out after the fact, so I have no idea what they said, nor is there a video of the interview available yet. (Update: Here's the video of the interview.)
However, Chris and Kathy have released a joint statement on Chris's blog, and no, I won't link to it. I refuse to link to any of the bully bloggers. If you'd like to read their statements, Kathy links to it here. (Thanks KG--also via Twitter!)
From Kathy:
"Chris and I are in complete agreement that it would be tragic if this incident were used as a weapon by those who would limit free and open exchange. My desire is for much more open debate on this issue, not legislated limits. The overwhelming, incredible support so many have given to this issue makes me very hopeful, and the positive result of all this has been the conversation that's taking place right now, between so many people. This could be a very important moment if we stop, think, and talk about the kind of future we really want online, and make certain we don't give up something more important in the process."
And from Chris:
"Misogyny is real -- and vile. Violence against women is wrong. It must not be tolerated. This issue should be explored and discussed, not swept under the rug, not rationalized away. At the same time, we need to look closely and carefully at the implications for free speech. The First Amendment allows and protects language that many find noxious. But there are forces in the world at present -- not least in the US -- that would leap at any opportunity to limit speech or even abolish certain forms of it. Crucial as is the current debate about hate speech directed at women, it would be tragic if this incident were used as a weapon by those who would limit free and open exchange."
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