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.