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2/26/96, amanzella@middlebury.edu, Middlebury, VT USA
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The Music of Our Voices

by Abby Manzella

     I am willing to admit that I have very little computer   [Image]
     background, but that's one of the reasons I'm writing.
     This battle isn't just for those working with computers, this is
     a battle for all of us. Even though, I don't have much experience
     with internet, I have been watching the moves of others involved
     with this movement and am highly impressed with what they are
     doing. They are creating "family" pages and tours, so that the
     children the government feels it needs to "protect" have a place
     to go. At the same time the full versions of the material are
     still available. In this way, parents can protect their own
     children, if they feel the need, yet their is still the freedom
     for all to make up their own minds, while the government is kept
     out of thought control, a place they will never belong.

     The movement has also shown me the power of interaction. People
     from all over the world are "speaking" to each other through
     their essays and continuous dialogue on e-mail. Now, of course,
     not every single one of these people has the same viewpoint, and
     that's the wonderful part. At times ideas conflict, and through
     that conflict new ideas emerge. Communication is amazing, and
     that is what the computer does--create a forum for sharing ideas.
     If the government intrudes and stops the flow, ideas will be
     suppressed and knowledge lost.

     Reader, whoever you are, you may not agree with me, but in this
     country that is your right. With the proposal about "decency" in
     the Telecomunnication Bill, the first step has been taken to
     revoke your right to agree or disagree with me. Therefore, you
     should also speak up while you can.

     Our voices make music. Sometimes that music is out of key and
     dissonant, but it is our music; we have created it. Don't let the
     government take away your power to make music, for even though
     this bill will only be silencing a note or two right now, those
     notes will be missed, and someday the government may only allow
     voices that resonant in the major keys which flatter them.
     Everyone has the right to sing whether her voice is beautiful or
     harsh, whether he hits the notes or not. Most importantly,
     sometimes it is the song that is unpopular that draws our
     attention the most. Sometimes that dissonance helps us to see
     what has previously escaped our glance and helps us to write even
     better songs. We may not all like the same music, but by having
     all the possibilities available we can fill the world with quite
     a song.

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