Judge Andrew P. Napolitano discusses the Libertarian Party w/ Glenn Beck & The Freedom Answer Book – YouTube
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Censoring Gun Enthusiasts — State Moves to Regulate Gun-Hobbyist Internet Speech | National Review Online
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Libertarians and Political Violence – The Future of Freedom Foundation
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United for a Free Syria
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The Machinery Of Freedom: Illustrated summary
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How Powerful Is Texas?
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Opposing the Sexual Revolution Requires Freedom – Crisis Magazine
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Does Free Speech Only Apply to Those with Nothing to Say?
For those who believe wholeheartedly in the principles of democracy and liberal government, the freedom of speech is something that should subsist without any restriction or imparted conditioning. It is an accepted privilege of democratic rule, that allows individuals to express their thoughts and feelings without the fear of censorship or reprisal, and also affords them the freedom to access information in order to aid an independent quest for knowledge and wisdom.
However, if the core values of democracy are to be maintained entirely, then the freedom of speech and expression must be upheld without exception and in every viable social circumstance. If this is not the case, then the concept becomes one that actually opposes liberal rule, especially in situations where individuals are censored or punished for revealing views which are deemed to be controversial or potentially divisive. The question is whether free speech is an unconditional feature of democracy, or any applicable to those who have nothing to say.
A Case in Point
An example of this issue unfolded in the US this week, as a high school English teacher was suspending for expressing her anger and frustration on an internet blog. The text contained numerous disrespectful or insulting insinuations towards her students and the methods of teaching in contemporary society, although the writer refrained from making specific references to their place of work or individual students.
The Battle between Law Enforcement and Innovation
Technological advancement is something that has been a feature of western culture over the last two decades, and is considered as a concept that has been largely beneficial to society. However, the processes of change and progression also draw negative reaction and perception from those who are left in its wake, especially where it unfolds at a frenetic pace or its innovations become vulnerable to abuse by the criminally minded factions of society.
This week, law enforcement bodies reported that these advances in communications and technological interaction were impeding their ability to conduct wiretaps, in addition to repeating existing concerns over the enhanced nature of internet and computer based crime. In an address to Congress, they suggested that all new telephone, computer and wireless systems should be designed to allow easy and lawful access for police officials and representatives.
An Affront to Progress?
While the police are decidedly serious in their call to the state, notes of caution have been sounded by industry experts and affiliated parties. It has been suggested that the implementation of design restrictions will only serve to stifle innovation and limit the effectiveness of US based technological companies within the global market. In addition to this, there is a concern that specifically engineered designs would be increasingly vulnerable to the wiles of hackers, criminals and international terrorists.
The Rise of Cyberbullying
It is an accepted and often discussed fact that the internet is changing the way that people interact and communicate. This is generally to be considered a good thing, especially in the way through which individuals can gather and share their opinions upon various online media outlets. Given the improvements it has also offered to commercial interaction, and the way in which marketing and advertising strategies are now conceived and delivered, there are many obvious benefits that are generated by remote communication.
However, there is an alternative and rather distasteful aspect to this argument. What the internet also provides is a wide and diverse platform upon which people can be abused, threatened and bullied, a situation that is not assisted by the fact that it also offers n enhanced degree of anonymity and secrecy for the offenders. The trends in this particular behavior are worrying, as there seem to be more and more instances of individuals being victimized through social network sites and remote interaction.
The Issue of Remote Hostility
With over 80 percent of US adults now active on through internet on a daily basis, it is only natural to presume that the issue of online of abuse will become more prevalent. However, the examples of this seem to be escalating out of proportion to the level of users, which is perhaps more indicative of other social and behavioral trends. There is an inherent need to consider this issue and understand whether the internet is itself a catalyst, or whether it is simply a vehicle which others a driving towards misuse.
WikiLeaks: Encouraging Empowerment or Disruption?
One of the most contentious issues that surrounds the World Wide Web is the surfeit of information that can be published and accessed by anyone. The intended purpose of the Internets swathes of resource is to empower and educate individuals within society, and prevent them with the factual data, opinion and objective information to aid them in an individual quest for wisdom. This is with a view to liberating society and giving each individual member the tools to further their own education on desired subjects.
To this end, Wikileaks is an international non profit organization that was founded in 2006, and strives to deliver anonymous submissions of private and covert news to a wide and uncensored audience. As they protect the source of the information they are able to seek and publish highly controversial and topical information, which is served in the greater interest of keeping the public updated with relevant data. In keeping with the nature of their operation, they have been involved at the centre of several well documented international incidents.
Freedom of Speech and its Consequences
If anything, Wikileaks is the evocation of the freedom of speech and democratic values. In its purest form, it provides a platform through which it is able to deliver entirely relevant information that would otherwise be suppressed and censored by government bodies. In effect, it takes control away from governments who wish to control what information is fed to society, and ensures that people are empowered to be as informed as they wish to be. Of course, this concept is one that has produced a vast differential in terms of its reception and response.
