Beware of Free Speech Infringement [Soapbox Talk]

August 28, 2009

Do you think the U.S. government is beyond the desire to control free speech?

Is it alarmist to say that there are people in our own government in the U.S. who would praise media control like we see in Venezuela, Iran and China?

And why would a blogger like me, a guy who doesn’t talk about politics, even bother to write a post like this one? It is certainly not ordinary for this blog. :)

There are some concerning movements within the Obama administration that I believe could be direct threats to free speech.

Free speech goes right to the very heart of what it is I talk about all the time – blogging. I believe that bloggers form an army of citizen reporters. Not all bloggers get it right. Some of them are downright nuts. But, in a country with free speech, that is par for the course.

A Sign Of Things To Come?

Today, on CNET News, a story came out about a proposed bill which will give the President control over private computer networks during a so-called cybersecurity emergency. From the CNET story:

The new version would allow the president to “declare a cybersecurity emergency” relating to “non-governmental” computer networks and do what’s necessary to respond to the threat. Other sections of the proposal include a federal certification program for “cybersecurity professionals,” and a requirement that certain computer systems and networks in the private sector be managed by people who have been awarded that license.

Some would argue that this is about protecting infrastructure. But, do you trust the government with authority over private networks? Remember, this is the same government who consistently gets failing grades on cybersecurity. Not only that, who defines what this “emergency” is? And what constitutes a “critical network”?

“A Senate source familiar with the bill compared the president’s power to take control of portions of the Internet to what President Bush did when grounding all aircraft on Sept. 11, 2001.”

What the hell?

Talk Radio – Is It a Precursor?

I also see a predictable increase in activity in the battle against talk radio now that we have, once again, a progressive President. They attempted the Fairness Doctrine before and it failed, but that legislation was most certainly unconstitutional and anti free speech.

Today, we see the FCC gearing up to use “diversity” as a sword to take on talk radio yet again. The new “diversity czar” at the FCC has said some damn alarming things for how he would like to silence the medium by using the FCC fees to take out local radio stations and fine them for lack of “diversity”. This is a man who works for the FCC, directly advises our President, and is one of the authors of “The Structural Imbalance of Political Talk Radio.”

What happens to talk radio is a precursor to what happens to us online. After all, talk radio is just another form of media, where people have organized into private corporations to make a living through speech. There is no difference between that and a blogger who wishes to monetize his/her blog.

The left hates talk radio because of conservative commentary. Take talk radio out, those people take to the Internet. The Internet is a major conduit for information which the government does not control. Using a bill designed to “protect national security” to install government controls into private networks is just a way to open the door to government regulation of the medium we all love – the Internet.

All it would take is some event that the administration declares an “emergency”, they could then stir up public fears, and begin quickly taking new authorities in the name of the public security.

The First Amendment is part of our Constitution, the same document President Obama swore to protect and defend against all enemies, foreign and domestic. I sure hope that he didn’t flub up on his oath because he didn’t believe a lick of what he was saying. At the very least, Obama has people around him who most certainly don’t believe in that oath.

If saying these things makes me part of the mob, then so be it. Flag me, baby! :) The way I see it, though, I’m just a guy who loves blogging and loves citizen media, yet who sees some warning signs out there of a battle waging designed to make it less possible.

Let’s hope I’m wrong.

So, what do you think? I’ve love to hear from you.

If you enjoyed this article, you might also like...

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  3. Iran Bans Google
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  5. The Day After, Saying Hello to President Obama
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  • i agree that censorship under any circumstances is bad but I don't agree with your undertones that this has anything to do with obama simply because a single democrat from WV and a single republican have some backwards ideas.
  • That's fine. This isn't an attack piece on Obama by any means. However, it is happening in his administration. And a "czar" is appointed by the President. So, at some point, you have to start asking questions, you know?
  • Dave,

    Honestly at least one part of the bill we really do need as a nation.

    Other sections of the proposal include a federal certification program for "cybersecurity professionals," and a requirement that certain computer systems and networks in the private sector be managed by people who have been awarded that license.

    This is really important, a bad information security person can cause the same damage as a bad doctor, a bad lawyer. There is the AMA, APA, there really needs to be a standard for Information Security.

    As for the rest of it, depends on how it works out and what the intent is. I would see a ton of free speech issues being raised in court if passed and was then used to squelch free speech. But then the flip side of that is that we already censor at the corporate and government level. Depends on how you want to spin the argument, in many ways we are already 1/2 of the way there and not just because of Obama.
  • I think the private sector can certify security professionals FAR better than the government.

    And, you are right, this is not just because of Obama. These efforts have been in progress for some time. My fear is that they are simply seeing more light of day now. But, the same arguments and logic were used to ram the Patriot Act through.
  • genecoleman
    The Fairness Doctrine is absolutely unconsttuitonal. It would come down to whatever the administration'[s "czars" thinks is fair. Sooner or later it would mean that the only fair media is NBC, CBS, and CNN. As for the affiliate marketer's comment, what makes you think everyone that opposes Obama is Republican. Some people just believe in the Constitution. You sound like someone who thinks the Constitution is backward except when it favors your thinking. This, by the way,seems to be what Obama thinks.
  • "As for the affiliate marketer's comment, what makes you think everyone that opposes Obama is Republican."

    I don't think that. The only time I used the word republican was in reference to the gentleman that was drafting the bill along with the democrat.
  • David dont worry about the "soap boxing". Free speech is one of the greatest things about our country. We should all be concerned about it and should all be able to speak without fear.
    What I find interesting is that Democrats, Republicans, Liberals and Conservatives are all starting to wake up and realize that those in the administration are not one of those. They are Progressive just as you pointed out. One thing that is ironic is that they passed the T.A.R.P.and Stimulus bills very quickly using fear tactics. And they are using the exact same methods to try and push through Health care and Cyber Security yet they call those who oppose all of these as "fear mongers". When fear is what they used to push the bills through.
  • If you read the history of the founding fathers you will find that most of them knew that if you let a government get their foot in the door of pretty much anything that they will then take incremental steps to control everything. This administration not just putting their foot into doors but shoving their entire leg into every door they can. Look into the people he (Obama) the Czars or Advisors (as they want to be called) dont have to answer to Congress or the Supreme court.Look at their backgrounds and you will find them to be some very scary people!
    That is why the Constitution and Bill of Rights are documents that state what the government CANNOT do to the people.
    Security does not mean control.
    Do you honestly think that just because we are half way there already that we should go the rest of the way? You also said that it depends on the how you want to spin the argument. What this country is starting to wake up and see is that people can no longer ride the fence. When it comes to protecting our Freedom there are right and wrong decisions with no gray areas. Stand for what you believe in! The wishy-washy spin will destroy our freedom if left unchecked, no matter what party you are in.
  • David,

    I wish more bloggers felt comfortable doing this. I'm worried about the state of the nation on matters such as these, especially since many of them fly under the radar. Glad you brought it to my attention.
  • David... If you and everyone else reading this want to really open your eyes, check this out: The Obama Deception It's 1 hour and 53 minutes. This is just the tip of the ice burg. Do your own digging and you'll find more. The more our rights are taken away, the more people will start asking why... My grandfather said, "If you want to know the truth to anything, follow the money."
  • You are right on David. This issue hasn't received the attention it needs. More people need to start talking about it before we are blindsided by it.
  • I totally agree David, we live in extraordinary times for things like this to even begin to surface from the Federal Government. I pray we see none of it.
  • David M
    Right on Dave!
  • juliamlevan
    I agree that that the signs seem to say the government will try to silence any opposition, i.e. independent thought and conservative voices whether they are in radio or on the internet.
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