What I take from everything I read and hear is that a whole maelstrom of interests want to crush individual freedom on the internet.
The entertainment industry wants people to buy entertainment on their terms, the internet industry wants to charge for every bit that transmits as if it was gold, the military doesn't want criticism, the politicians don't want certain truths to be known, licensed radio would rather we listened to their no-brain content, and peaceful honest people are being intimidated into "not rocking the boat" because we hear stories like Bradley Manning, and we prefer not to be kept standing naked for 8-hours a day.
I'm trying to get on the no fly list.
As in "No flies on me" (keep moving on)? Or like a 'no-fly zone' (prevent aerial attack on, umm, your person?)?
Latest Manning update:
http://www.bradleymanning.org/
Anyway, I agree we are suffering, but it seems to be done by coercion and fear usually for which no one person can be blamed, and it also seems to be accompanied by a twisted floating version of morality ... e.g., we should save the whales but abort unborn babies. I have no personal knowledge of how that sort of thought processing takes place, but it should be allowed to be spoken never-the-less.
Example: I don't want to moralize based on my own experience, because it's imperfect, but it's even more important to reserve the right to say what I believe, whether or not the basis for it can be empirically proven, or whether it's driven by serious consideration and meditation ... or just humor.
Free the airwaves!!
I agree completely with you, Ken Norris, that we should be able to say what we wish to say.
One argument I use from time to time against people who claim what I'm saying is "not true," is simply this: If it's not true, then what should it matter? That only means I'm wrong. Since when can't we be wrong?"
Anyway, that helps me look at the question of speech from a different perspective.
If you are so inclined you should produce a spoken voice radio program discussing your thoughts. I do a little of that, but I must admit I do hold back because of the very coercion you mention. Nobody has threatened me so far, but from experience I know there are people who make themselves "right" by destroying those they disagree with.
Sorry, I meant to start this thread in the blog forum, but the order priority (top to bottom) seems to have changed recently and I've failed to get it right.
With apologies ...