[Prev|Next|Index] Thu, Feb 22, 1996 Dave Ross

"War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength"

     By Dave Ross

     "War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength" - The
     Ministry of Truth from George Orwell's "1984".

     It is now 1996 and, though we are past 1984, George Orwell's
     classic is becoming less and less a work of fiction. Instead, it
     seems to describe the views held by our current government in
     this former democracy, America. Our representatives, heavily
     influenced by the so-called "Religious Right", has made a mockery
     of our Constitution and the concept of individual freedom.

     Now, our greatly computer-illiterate government has decided that
     it needs to stick its nose in one more place that it doesn't
     belong - the Internet. Since its inception, the Internet has
     operated without a central governing body. It is perhaps the most
     successful anarchy that has ever existed. Why? Everyone has a
     right to free speech and expression on the 'net. This freedom has
     recently come under attack, however.

     I love the Internet. I love the idea that people of all walks of
     life, with various interests, can gather together even though
     they are physically separated by thousands of miles. Plus, their
     interaction can happen in real-time! Through technologies such as
     Cu-seeme, IPhone, and RealAudio, these people can see and talk to
     each other rather than just communicating with text.

     The Internet isn't all intellectual debate and high technology.
     Yes, there is pornography on the Internet. Yes, there are
     instructions on how to make various explosive devices. The
     Internet is one of the last places a person can turn to where he
     or she can safely exchange information and ideas. The U.S.
     government shouldn't try to change that.

     This is an international network, with international thoughts and
     ideas. These may frighten a few people in a rural area of one
     country. Does that mean that open-minded people elsewhere
     shouldn't be able to enjoy them? I may not agree with what
     someone has to say, but I will defend their right to say it.

     I seem to remember (correct me if I'm wrong - my e-mail address
     is above and below) a court case in which a precedent what made
     declaring that items posted to Usenet were "published", and
     subject to libel and slander laws. If this is indeed a medium of
     publication, what ever happened to the First Amendment protection
     for Freedom of the Press?

     I am now going to leave you with one final thought:

     They came for the hackers But I was not a hacker, so I did not
     speak. They came for those who distributed porn But I did not
     look at pornography, so I did not speak. They came for those who
     would oppose the government But I loved my country, so I did not
     speak. They came for those who supported drug use But I do not do
     drugs, so I did not speak. They came for those who spoke of
     abortion But I am pro-life, so I did not speak. Then, they came
     for me

     And there was nobody to speak for me.

     Best wishes to you all! Fight the CDA!

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