- Ben Franklin

That from a guy who personally put his fortune (and neck) on the line so that we can even have this discussion.

Should we do any less?

This year is the celebration of the 300th anniversary of his birthday.

If you use the post office or make money from any form of publishing, especially direct marketing, you’re following in his footsteps.

Details:

http://www.benfranklin300.org/

Remember the old saying, “Beware Greeks bearing gifts!”

* Human Rights in China
http://www.hrichina.org

* US State Department Report (2004)
http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2004/41640.htm

* Amnesty International’s China reporting
http://www.amnestyusa.org/countries/china/index.do

Note: The Chinese government currently employs THOUSANDS of special police to monitor and censor Internet communications within China.

Among that group there are surely many propaganda agents who are working overtime to ’spin’ the US media on this issue.

The bottom line is that in China one billion people human beings cannot criticize their government or utter or publish words like “democracy” without facing prison sentences and other physical threats.

If the shoe were on the other foot, I’m sure we’d want people in free countries to speak up for us on our behalf.

It’s utter nonsense to declare that “free trade” is the solution to the problem. Before the declaration of hostitilies with Nazi Germany, we had “free trade” with them too – right up until the day they started shooting at us (and – shamefully – some US companies kept trading with them during the war.)

In all fairness to Yahoo etc., they’re in business to make money and in their shortsighted way, they’ve seen cooperation with censorship in China as a ‘no risk’ scenario.

It’s the job of people who care about freedom to put the risk into the equation for them by letting them know there will be consequences to their public image.

The day it costs these companies more to cooperate with the censors than it does to stand up to them is the day they will discover their conscience.

Let’s hope tomorrow’s Congressional hearings light a fire. If there’s ever going to be a major sea change on this issue, now is the time.

GAry Dumke
Sullivan Ohio
Internet “newbie”

You got me: an e-mail suggesting three Valentine’s Day heroes, then a blog bestowing thanks on those who seek to preserve an open Internet. Well done!

The Internet has erased more borders in a dozen years than all the treaties in history. It is truly the tyrant’s foe. No government can stop us from talking to each other anymore. We, the people, have the technology to circumvent those restrictions, and we will not let this tech be taken away!

Thank you for reminding us about the sacrifices a few have made so that the rest of us may communicate freely.

STEVE O’KEEFE
Vice President
International Association of Online Communicators (IAOCblog.com)

so refreshing to read some intelligent, well thought out writing on issues that really matter.

My day is richer for reading your Valentine Post (in the best sense of the word). It’s also drawn my attention to stand beside our Chinese friends in prayer.

Regards,

Dave Alston

This insight into the abuse of human rights for privacy and freedom & the original meaning of Valentines has come to my attention in such a synchronatic way .
Firstly my husband & I met each other on the internet 2 years ago and we use the internet frequently for communicating with one another as at present he is now in China and I am back here in NZ.

Just yesterday he was asking me what were the origins of Valentines Day as this is not a part of his culture , he is Nigerian.
I said that today I would look into this and let him know later tonight and here ! is your email sitting in my inbox ready to explain this to me with much more !!!!
My husband & I had been discussing together just recently the issue of privacy on the internet and on cell phones and were of the mind that we did have to be cautious. We are not involved in anything illegal but the nature of his business over there does require that he be alert.

I am apalled by what I have read today about these financial powerhouses misuse of their power but yet I am not surprised either.
I would like to know how I can keep up to date on what is happening in regards to matters like this and the outcome of Yahoo etc.. going up before Congress. If you can direct me towards a good source that would be great !

Regards,

Macushla.

What an excellent insight into the use of technology for all the wrong reasons — the repression of democracy and liberty.

I had no idea of the pathetic cooperation of Yahoo! More like “Ya-right”. Shame on them.

Thanks again,

Martin Wales
Customer Catcher Communications