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1996-03-11
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[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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[Twenty-Four Hours of Democracy]