[BITList] SOLIDARITY WITH IRAN (AND CHINA TOO?)

[John Feltham]

 From an acquaintance....

Its a good idea.



Begin forwarded message:


SHOWING SOLIDARITY WITH THE IRANIAN PEOPLE (AND CHINESE PEOPLE TOO?)

June 21, 2009


Good morning and Happy Father's Day to all fathers and those who up  
with them put!

Today, I have a brief but serious subject.

There has been much discussion about how much President Obama should  
speak out in favor of the protestors (and hopefully revolutionaries)  
in Iran.  Recently, on the anniversary of the Chinese crackdown in  
Tiananmen Square, there was nary a whimper from the world about  
Chinese repression.

About a week ago, I read a story about an American company seeking an  
injunction against use of its protected software code in computers  
shipped to China.  Apparently, the Chinese government has issued an  
edict that as of certain date, all computers are to be equipped with a  
filter that allows certain web sites to be blocked and some say, may  
allow tracking of what people are doing.  The US company complains  
that its software codes have "mysteriously" appeared in the system  
being prepared for compliance with this edict.

It goes without saying that shutting down the Internet, cell phone  
networks, telephone systems and TV and radio broadcasts is inimical to  
our notions of freedom.

In the past the US broadcast via Radio Free Europe and the VOA.

Now, it's time to enter the modern age.

I think one of the best policy initiatives the United States could  
implement is to use our Satellites to provide free Internet access for  
all Iranian and Chinese people to counter government shut downs.   
Whether this should be expanded to Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and be  
24/7/365 are issues to be determined.

The United States should also provide access to a free cell phone  
network allowing calls and text messages by Iranian and Chinese  
citizens whenever their governments shut down local networks.

We should also provide free relay broadcasts of TV and radio news and  
information broadcasts under these conditions.

This is a heck of a lot cheaper than military force or economic  
sanctions, would frustrate the piss out of the Chinese and Iranian  
governments, and demonstrate the power of freedom of speech and  
freedom of the press.

Just another thought swirling in my little Bwana head.

Cheerz...



-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.bcn.mythic-beasts.com/pipermail/bitlist/attachments/20090622/254e6659/attachment.shtml