Lawmakers would label satellite providers as terrorists
We read:
"Two U.S. congressmen have proposed legislation to label satellite providers of incendiary television stations as terrorist organizations — the latest attempt by lawmakers to prevent radical anti-American propaganda from hitting the airwaves, even abroad. The bill, authored by Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., and Rep. Joseph Crowley, D-N.Y., seeks to punish satellite companies that carry channels that are mouthpieces for known terrorist groups like Hezbollah and Hamas — stations they say incite their audiences to commit acts of terrorism against the United States.
But some free speech advocates question the constitutionality and consequences of the legislation, arguing that such modes of communication are a useful tool in monitoring terrorist movements. ‘The constitutionality of such a statute is uphill,’ said Harvey Silverglate, a civil-liberties attorney with the Boston-based law firm Zalkind Rodriguez Lunt & Duncan LLP.”
Source
5 comments:
"But some free speech advocates question the constitutionality and consequences of the legislation, arguing that such modes of communication are a useful tool in monitoring terrorist movements."
That's the same old argument used by Leftists whenever they want to protect an agenda they support. Why should we be concerned with the free-speech rights of people who don't believe in rights of any kind, for anyone? I think this bill is a good idea. We don't need to continue making life easier for terrorists to spread their propaganda. Unless of course, you are a Leftist, who believes that soneone's perceived right is more important than someone else's actual life.
I disagree with you, anonymous. Terrorists can already spread their propaganda online, so persecuting satellite companies does no good.
This is a gross violation of free speech, visit amazon.com and you'll find books that tell you how to be a drug dealer or how to engage in money laundering. Why should my right to seek information be denied just because some people might use that information to do evil?
Besides, there's more radical anti-American propaganda on MSNBC, Current TV, and the average university. What can a terrorist say that our own aren't already saying?
What keeps our country free is our ability to find all kinds of information without the state censorship present in Europe.
Why would you need information on how to be a drug dealer unless you had criminal intentions? Why would a law abiding citizen need instructions on how to make a bomb, or silenced pistol, or nerve gas, etc.?
"Freedom is like pure clean water, in that, it is essential for life. But lest we forget what too much water can do."
"What can a terrorist say that our own aren't already saying?"
It's not what terrorists say thats the problem, it's what they do. And providing them with any kind of assistance, in any way, is the epitome of ignorance, to the degree that it is suicidal.
"Why would you need information on how to be a drug dealer unless you had criminal intentions?"
---I can think of a bunch of reasons. 1. For entertainment. 2. I'm writing a novel about crime. 3. I want to really understand criminals. 4. I'm a boring guy that never does anything bad and enjoys reading about those who do. 5. I'd like to fantasize about being a criminal.
Besides, a drug dealer doesn't learn how to smuggle drugs from a book, they learn from experience, on the job training under the supervision of others.
"Why would a law abiding citizen need instructions on how to make a bomb, or silenced pistol, or nerve gas, etc.?"
---Because part of living in a free society is having access to information. From a purely libertarian perspective, you can do anything you want as long as it doesn't hurt your neighbors directly. Thus we allow people to flagellate themselves with a whip following the traditions of Opus Dei, but we won't let them flagellate others if they don't give consent.
A law-abiding citizen should not be treated like a criminal for the books he chooses to read, the guns he chooses to carry and the television he chooses to watch.
Post a Comment