Softpaw Banned from FC08

[GreenReaper]

A total of four regulars stopped attending. This was reflected by an 8% drop in con registrations.

EF's registration actually went through the roof this year. It wasn't an isolated example, either. Furries must be breeding, unlike the rest of Europe.

I don't really get that. Past basic concepts on what is/isn't pedo 'art', you really do have to err on the side of caution on the issue.

Well, that's a choice they could make - and I don't disagree that it would be understandable, if unfortunate for the fandom in terms of precedents for exclusion.

The point is that saying "we know it's probably not illegal but even so, we'd rather not . . ." is different from saying "the law says that X is illegal", then sitting on that as their excuse despite evidence to the contrary, which is what they appear to be doing. Having (and redistributing) the right facts but applying cautionary weightings to them is not the same as putting about incorrect facts and using them as a basis and justification for decision-making.

Granted, things have been moving quite quickly and we don't have information on any internal discussions they might be having. Still, they effectively gave their dealers legal advice on this matter* - and I think it was misleading, at best.

*Arguably less so than I've been doing, as it was not tailored specifically to any particular dealer

[Kindrift]

If you kids are going to argue indefinitely about this on two different forums then please try to make it amusing.

All anyone can prove through this is that AAE is misrepresenting the law either to err far on the side of caution or to exorcise unwanted material from the convention.  Either result is for the good of the convention and the furry culture as a whole.  If they are misrepresenting the burden upon them, some of us may lose a degree of respect for the staff -- however, it won't affect a single thing.  Their rules are their rules.  The outcry so far might push them to reconsider and alter their rules for next year, but this is just pseudo-intellectual masturbation and rules lawyering.

[GreenReaper]

Subsequent to the thread on this topic (and, I'm sure, a heck of a lot of email), the board of AAE has released a statement clarifying their position.

One line summary: They don't have a position on the morality issue, nor are they saying it's illegal, but they don't want to risk a lawsuit.

[Kindrift]

So exactly what I said.  Thank you for proving my analysis correct and loading the thread with two pages of meaningless pedantic squabbling.  It just wouldn't be furry and the Internet without it.