[Prev|Next|Index] Thu, Feb 22, 1996 Sean M. Dunstan

A Glimmer of Hope

     By Sean M. Dunstan

     When I first heard about the Act, I wasn't really sure how to
     react.

     I mean, I was upset, sure, but who around here wouldn't be? How
     could the government do this to us? (yeah, I know. I was hoping
     otherwise.) Didn't the efforts of everyone involved in fighting
     this matter? Wasn't Al Gore supposed to be on our side?

     Despite what I've said, I'm not naive about our government. I
     know that they only try to please their constituents and get
     re-elected. But still, I tried to keep my glimmer of hope alive.
     I hoped that Congress would realize what a flagrant disregard for
     the First Ammendment this was. I hoped the president would veto.
     But it didn't work.

     I still have hope, though.

     When I first discovered the Internet about five yaers ago, I
     thought "Wow!" This place is great!" And it still is. It's like a
     party everyone's invited to. Only now, we have to worry about the
     bouncers nobody remembered hiring.

     It's important for me to mention here that the Net didn't change
     my life. It changed my outlook. I was a rather introverted person
     when I first went online, and I found a place where my voice
     could be heard. Admitedly, I'm a lurker, but still, I want to
     help.

     So. Here's my view of the net:

     The Internet is more that a collection of wires and electronics,
     it's the focus of the creativity and imagination of everyone
     involved with it. From the lurkers to the flamers to the
     spammers, we've all had a hand in the Net's development. The Net
     is the embodiment of our Right to Free Speech. After all, if you
     can't say it online, where can you say it?

     Well, I don't know if that speech made any difference. Either
     way, I've contributted to another part of the web's development.
     So I'll just hang out here for a while longer.

     Just me, and my glimmer of hope.

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