[mdlug-discuss] Anti Censorship

[Aaron Kulkis]

Garry Stahl wrote:
> In consideration of the events in Egypt, and the fact that Congress has
> put an Internet "kill switch" back on the table; we the Geek community
> have to ask ourselves what proactive measures are we going to take to
> prevent the censorship of information in the United States?  I for one
> believe that any government that attempts to prevent the flow of
> information is evil.  By attempting to censor the news and information
> the people of that country can receive it is then deserving of removal,
> by what ever means possible.  That aside, we cannot make informed
> decisions based solely on what the government wants us to see.  How do
> we make sure they cannot blind and deafen us?
> 

Mubarack tried that, and it hasn't helped him one bit.
And they don't even HAVE a recognized right to free speech.

My guess is that after the chips have all fallen, any
politician who tries such a stunt, will find himself
HOPING for mere imprisonment.

Not to mention that there would be so much civil resistance
that the police won't have enough jail space.  As TV, newspaper
and other commercial entities come to rely more and more on
the internet for their advertising revenue, they also will
apply pressure on ISPs to stay up on running in defiance of
any federally-mandated blackout (and even more so if the
data-carrying ISPs are (HOPEFULLY NOT!) allowed to merge
with the data-producing entities.)