The Right To Speak

We are not afraid to entrust the American people with unpleasant facts, foreign ideas, alien philosophies, and competitive values.  For a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people.  ~John F. Kennedy

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While we might disagree with what is said or printed or accessed; while we might take issue with those that say print or access it –we certainly cannot disagree or take issue with their right to say, print or access it. To do so, is to take away your own right. For one day someone else may dispute what you say, print or access and your cries will fall upon silent ears.

What is appropriate is to empower those that feel they are being cheated or stolen from with laws that can equip them with the power to redress their grievance. Eliminate the wart, do not cut off the arm instead. The legislation presently pending may not be the best solution to the problem.

One important thing to consider before you fall on either side of the SOPA/PIPA battle is to look at those that support it and those that oppose it. The proponent list does not include a single individual — the unit upon which this country was originally formed. The proponents are exclusively  (if not almost exclusively) the new “persons” under  recent law.

The freedom to disseminate information has always been a cornerstone of our freedoms, of our country – a country of the people, by the people and for the people — the question of late, it appears to me is “which people are we talking about these days?”

I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it. ~ Voltaire