vision2020@moscow.com: "If they come for me in the morning..."
"If they come for me in the morning..."
Jo Williams (tajs@potlatch.com)
Sat, 16 May 1998 06:26:13 -0700
Visionaries,
Memorial Day is approaching. A time to remember those who died for us.
Who died to preserve our freedom. Many consider Freedom of Speech to be
the first of those, premiere in the hierarchy.
I would hope that- as a tribute- maybe those at our universities might
share their singular expertise and discuss this most valuable asset, in
which we take such pride.
Maybe those with legal expertise could share their thoughts on the
following:
What type of speech is considered the most valuable- the most in need of
protection?
What is the difference between 'political' and 'partisan political'?
What is more likely to have a chilling effect on speech- a narrow, well
written law, or a broad, vague policy that looks at each case separately.
What is the effect of a regulation never voted on by legislators?
What is email? Is it similar to a private letter, a phone call, a hallway
discussion.
What is the larger meaning of the Zeran case, and it's release of
liability for those who provide Internet access?
Maybe those with economic expertise or electrical engineering knowledge
could discuss the added cost to taxpayers of, say, words written on a
computer; in a computer system where the several hundred computers are
turned on all day, every day. Even when no one is sitting in front of
them.
Maybe those in the political science department could share their
thoughts on the
historical differences between workers and management. Their differing
rights, and the labor movement's long struggle to demand fair treatment.
There are those who believe it's time to extend our freedoms against
governmental oppression with a Bill of Rights against corporate
oppression. Should they be?
And maybe those in the history department could share some examples of
those who fought against tyranny with non-violence. Martin Luther King,
Ghandi and the WW II hero, the King of Denmark.
I understand that many in the university communities are busy grading
finals this week. But in remembrance of those who gave everything for our
freedom, I would hope they might pause.......... and respond. Jo
Williams tajs@potlatch.com
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