Ramblings of a Technology Addict

Wednesday, December 11, 2002

More on the Aussie Libel Matter.

More on the internet libel case in Australia. Cynthia Webb of WaPo's TechNews.com has posted her opinion on the case, and some comments from WSJ and also some other folks. She's also soliciting opinions... email her.
My response:
So, here in the States, we have different standards than the rest of the world when it comes to free speech, and suddenly companies and people here in the States have to answer to the courts of other nations with more strict controls? I'm sorry, I don't think so. While the internet, admittedly, changes a lot of things, it doesn't change anything about our rights under the law as United States Citizens and about or corporations which have similar rights. We cannot allow other countries with greater restrictions on the freedoms we have to govern and legislate and prosecute those of us who are truly free.
However, I can understand why the restriction of the press to be responsible for what it prints is also a necessity in a free society. If we are as free as we claim to be, the truth ought to go hand in hand with that freedom. In a world of increasingly yellow journalism, and larger audiences to match, it seems that often the immaculate truth is hard to come by in the media. Rarely are journalists arbiters of truth any longer, just instead, purveyors of opinion with matching biases. That all being said, it's rare that the Wall Street Journal is listed among the less-respectable rag papers.
Here we have a case that will determine not just policy in the United States or in Australia, but rather the entire world community, via the internet. Shouldn't the rest of the world have a say in what's going to determine free speech?
4:27:15 PM comment []

Found an interesting article this morning on Corporate Mofo: Why Liberals Hate Guns which may well be worth a read. Now, before you go all getting upset, yes I realize that Corporate Mofo is a satire site and should be considered as such. Guns are becoming a bigger issue these days, as restrictions on owning certain varieties are being tested by the court system.
Let me preface the following remarks with: I do not own a firearm, nor do I have any intention of owning one. However, that doesn't mean that people shouldn't be able to own one. As my friend Mike has said in the past, "I don't want to wait 11 minutes for the Police," and I suppose that Mike has a pretty good point, in that waiting that 11 minutes for the Police to respond to a 911 emergency is a long time. However, my immediate thought is, a gun as protection from harm only works on your physical side. Chances are, if you shoot him, you'll suffer some mental pains about it, or at least, I would. I can't imagine having to shoot someone.
Call me a pansy if you want, fine, but I'm not about to pull the trigger on someone trying to walk off with my TV. If he's coming at me with a knife, that's different. Then why own a pistol? Pistols miss. Own a shotgun. If you're gonna fire, you better make damn sure you can stop the guy.
So, mainly, that's why I object to firearms. They're solely used for violent purposes, and I'm not sure I'd be comfortable owning one for that reason.
Okay, on to the technology issue for the day. Connected often with the right to bear arms is also the right to free speech. Now, granted, our speech is limited by the courts, specifically tied to the truthfulness of what we say. However, things are changing. In this morning's news the Wall Street Journal was ordered to stand trial in Australia for Libel.
So, here in the States, we have different standards than the rest of the world when it comes to free speech, and suddenly companies and people here in the States have to answer to the courts of other nations with more strict controls? I'm sorry, I don't think so. While the internet, admittedly, changes a lot of things, it doesn't change anything about our rights under the law as United States Citizens and about or corporations which have similar rights. We cannot allow other countries with greater restrictions on the freedoms we have to govern and legislate and prosecute those of us who are truly free.
So, Australia, if you really want to do this, go right on ahead. Just don't be surprised when we don't show up to get tried by your kangaroo court.
8:48:15 AM comment []