more on Which is the bigger threat?]

[Dave Farber <dave () farber net>]

-------- Original Message --------
Subject:        Re: [IP] Which is the bigger threat?
Date:   Mon, 06 Feb 2006 12:20:43 -0800
From:   Brad Templeton <btm () templetons com>
Organization:   http://www.templetons.com/brad
To:     Dave Farber <dave () farber net>
CC:     spaf () cerias purdue edu
References:     <43E75DEE.4020903 () farber net>



> What is "right" is very specific to each culture/country, and  
> sometimes to a political party or ethnic group.   How do we all reach  
> common ground to say when it is appropriate to restrict dissemination  
> of information -- if it ever is?

The problem is not whether some particular speech/information should be
restricted or not.  Of course there are always some who will want to ban
and some who will want to defend in any situation -- or there would not
be a conflict.   Democracy, of course, doesn't work to solve these
issues, which is why such rights are normally constitutionally enshrouded
to assure that democratic forces (at least simple majorities) do not have
the power to make decisions on such issues.

The reason for this is not about any particular censorship target.
The real problem is once you decide there is information which must
be censored, you must have a censor.  A human or group of humans who
will decide.   And history seems to show that power is always abused.
Sometimes it is used in a way you like.  But it always is later used
in a way you don't like.

Thus the only winning move is not to play.


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