Re: Fighting the cybercensor. (fwd)

Forwarded message:

> Date: Sun, 26 Jan 1997 03:28:53 -0800
> From: Bill Stewart <stewarts@ix.netcom.com>
> Subject: Re: Fighting the cybercensor. (fwd)
> 
> At 12:11 AM 1/22/97 -0600, Jim Choate wrote:
> >> Singapore and China are blocking certain net groups. I think
> >> this is a bad thing, question is how can we stop it?
> >
> >'We' shouldn't, it is their own country and it is up to their populace to
> >stop it. Do you really want Singapore or China having a say in how we run
> >our web? I certainly don't, and won't support any move to force any
> 
> Nonsense - the net doesn't "belong" to "Singapore or China" -

The part of it that comes out of their pocketbook does. Just like the part of
'the net' that I pay for belongs to me. The net is a bunch of computers,
running software, hooked together over cables and other links. Each and
EVERY ONE of these require installation, upkeep, repair, and utility
support. This costs money. He who pays the money owns the net, everybody
else is along for the ride.

If we take your argument to its logical conclusion then once a box goes on
the net it belongs to nobody/everybody. Clearly utter nonsense.

If you really and truly believe that the net belongs to everyone and nobody
has a right to limit or otherwise control the hardware and software along
with the associated comm links they own and pay for then you obviously don't
understand what is going on.

                                                 Jim Choate
                                                 CyberTects
                                                 ravage@ssz.com


ps I also support France's current attempt at forcing the Georgia university
   web site on French soil to use French.

Jim Choate wrote:
> > From: Bill Stewart <stewarts@ix.netcom.com>
> >
> > Nonsense - the net doesn't "belong" to "Singapore or China" -
> 
> The part of it that comes out of their pocketbook does. Just like the part of
> 'the net' that I pay for belongs to me. 
> I have the right to do whatever I want to anything that comes through my part
> of the net, including censoring or editing any mail that comes through it, so
> that it reflects a point of view consistent with mine, since I am the one
> paying for it.

> The net is a bunch of computers,
> running software, hooked together over cables and other links. Each and
> EVERY ONE of these require installation, upkeep, repair, and utility
> support. This costs money. He who pays the money owns the net, everybody
> else is along for the ride.
> Those who pay the money, like myself and others who have bought the right
> to control the net, are justified in acting without outside interference
> on anything that passes through our part of the net.

> If we take your argument to its logical conclusion then once a box goes on
> the net it belongs to nobody/everybody. Clearly utter nonsense.
> The net belongs to those with the money to control it, and people who do
> not have money have no rights on the net.

> If you really and truly believe that the net belongs to everyone and nobody
> has a right to limit or otherwise control the hardware and software along
> with the associated comm links they own and pay for then you obviously don't
> understand what is going on.
> For instance, since Toto pays for the hardware and software that comprises
> his part of the net, he is free to limit, control, and edit for content,
> anything that passes through his part of the net.
> Although I sometimes disagree with Toto because of my limited ability to
> understand things on a conceptual level, his rugged good looks, charm,
> and superior intelligence show that he should be allowed to control his
> own privately owned part of the net and anything that passes through it.

>                                                  Jim Choate
>                                                  CyberTects
>                                                  ravage@ssz.com

Jim,
 Thank you for your support in my efforts to exert supreme control over
the part of the net that I have paid for.
 I am sure that you will continue to fight for the right of myself and
the government of Singapore to use that control for whatever purpose
they choose.
 As you can see above, I have enhanced your posting so that it more
closely conforms to the beliefs that my paid-for part of the net was
set up to espouse.

Toto