On Mon, 17 Sep 2001, Greg Mirsky wrote:
Sorry, but I want to point out that Vadim (and I'll second his opinion) was talking about a particular site www.Kavkaz.org which is set by Chechen terrorists (sorry again, I wouldn't call them "rebels" since it an insult to those who rebel for cause).
I think we all understood this, however, my understanding is that this site is on an American server, owned by an American company, and is physically in the U.S. - correct me if this is wrong.
Last time I've checked Chechnya was not part of USA and thus none of them is a US citizen unless there are mercenaries. If that's the case then why you're talking about Freedom of Speech and First Amendment?
(1) My customers benefit from my freedoms. (2) If we are going to spout off about free speech, then we need to PRACTICE it.
How it's applicable to foreign terrorist organization that uses American company to spread its ideas?
See above. People on my servers are covered by the laws of my country.
Or perhaps you're more tolerable to Chechen terrorists using American info-space then if it would be bin Laden using it?
I would have NO problem with Laden using my servers either.
Would your company host a site that posts Laden's fatwahs (sp?)? Would you provide them with 24*7 customer support?
Absolutely.
If not, please try to explain to me, where's difference?
Regards, Greg
-----Original Message----- From: Andy Walden [mailto:andy@tigerteam.net] Sent: Saturday, September 15, 2001 6:02 PM To: David Schwartz Cc: nanog@merit.edu Subject: RE: On Internet and social responsibility
On Sat, 15 Sep 2001, David Schwartz wrote:
I think you misunderstand what free speech is and means. Freedom of speech means the right to express those ideas you wish using that which is yours
to
use. It does not include the right to commandeer other people's presses.
Common misconception that Freedom of Speech has anything to do with you or me and what we tell each other. Actually Freedom of Speech means freedom from governement censorship, and has nothing do with with U.S. Citizen to Citizen communications.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
-- Yours, J.A. Terranson sysadmin@mfn.org If Governments really want us to behave like civilized human beings, they should give serious consideration towards setting a better example: Ruling by force, rather than consensus; the unrestrained application of unjust laws (which the victim-populations were never allowed input on in the first place); the State policy of justice only for the rich and elected; the intentional abuse and occassionally destruction of entire populations merely to distract an already apathetic and numb electorate... This type of demogoguery must surely wipe out the fascist United States as surely as it wiped out the fascist Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. The views expressed here are mine, and NOT those of my employers, associates, or others. Besides, if it *were* the opinion of all of those people, I doubt there would be a problem to bitch about in the first place... --------------------------------------------------------------------