Post #2. Forcing our views on others

In response to the blocks of Facebook, YouTube, and other sites made by foreign countries, a little device is now being created called Haystack.

“Haystack is a new program designed to provide unfiltered internet access to the people of Iran. The software package is compatible with Windows, Mac and Unix systems, and specifically targets the Iranian government's web filtering mechanisms.”

If you go to the website at haystacknetwork.com, they have their mission points listed. They’re very noble, things such as peaceful opposition to Iranian laws, providing free unfiltered Internet access, etc. These are all well and good, but do we have the right to do this? On the heels of my previous rants about Pakistan blocking Facebook, you might wonder why I’m a little upset about this. Free speech is free speech, right? No. Don’t get me wrong, I think their government is making a serious mistake by blocking these sites nationwide. If it were an Iranian programmer creating and promoting this, I’d be on the cheerleading squad in an instant. Iranian women ditching head scarves and donning jeans? You go, girl. I might even chip in for your fine. (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37313677)

However…the United States of America is based on principles like freedom of speech and religion. That’s right, the United States of America, not Iran. I don’t expect the Indonesians to come over and force me to wear head coverings. Why should we expect to force our ideals on them?

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/feed/sc-biz-0520-klipsch-lightspeaker-20100524,0,712881.story?page=3

Sorry, but there are limits!

I'm generally a pro-free speech person, as is probably everyone in this class. However, I really do believe there are limits. A friend of mine posted on FB about the Westboro Baptist Church's plans to protest Ronnie James Dio's memorial service. I'm still hoping that this is some kind of hoax, but after spending some time on CNN.com reading some of their previous exploits, I'm not so sure.

I don't care what people think about Dio's music, his personal beliefs, or about homosexual U.S. soldiers. There are limits to what you should do, and protesting at a person's funeral is above and beyond those limits.

I knew there was a reason I liked keeping my head in the sand...

Blocked from an entire country?

I get banning sites within public networks such as schools, public libraries, and the like. After all, do you really need to look at porn while sitting next to a random stranger at the library? However, it’s hard to imagine banning a site from an entire country. Yet, yesterday Pakistan blocked YouTube for issues that they “deem offensive”. This comes right on the heels of banning Facebook for similar issues.

While this is bad, what’s almost worse, however, is Facebook’s response, which was:

Facebook said Wednesday it was investigating.
''While the content does not violate our terms, we do understand it may not be legal in some countries,'' the company said in a statement. ''In cases like this, the approach is sometimes to restrict certain content from being shown in specific countries.''

I find it had to understand how a company such as Facebook could support such a government action. On the surface (it’s difficult to know what’s behind the scenes when you’re not there) Facebook seems to be the polar opposite to thoughts of censorship, especially on this level.

I do my share of complaining about things in the U.S. Americans seem to be the inventors of long work hours and a sue-happy society. However, I feel grateful to have the right to complain about them publicly.


The Associated Press. (2010, May 20, 2010). Pakistan Blocks YouTube, The New York Times.