Constitutional Law, Free Speech, International, Media, Politics, Society

Yes We Can: United States Declared “Enemy of the Internet” With Iran, North Korea, and Other Bad Actors

President_Barack_Obama1-foam-fingerWe previously discussed the rapid drop of the United States in the protection of the free press. Now, the respected Reporters Without Borders has produced a separate report on Internet freedoms. In yet another dubious distinction for President Obama, the United States is now listed with such “Enemies of the Internet” as Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran. This is our first time on the infamous list — a true accomplishment for an Administration that has been denounced for its wholesale attacks on privacy and other core civil liberties.


The Administration (and its Senate allies like Sen. Dianne Feinstein) spent little time in setting itself against the open Internet forum and has sought a variety limitations and sanctions for Internet speech. Our mass surveillance programs features prominently in our inclusion of this list. The National Security Agency has worked furiously to break down walls on the Internet while the Justice Department has pursued various individuals for web posting.

There will come a day when Democrats will seek again to speak in favor of core values of free speech, free press, privacy, and the like. When that day comes, there will be a chorus of howls from civil libertarians who have watched in astonishment as the Democratic Party enabled these assaults on freedom either actively or by acquiescence. The trading away of the power of principle for the power of personality will, in my view, be judged harshly in history. Obama will leave office in a few years and what he will leave a much larger security system, more extensive surveillance, and a mountain of hypocrisy for his supporters to climb in his wake.

I am not sure how the Administration will celebrate its latest distinction, but the First Lady is currently traveling at great public expense in China. That would seem a perfect place to celebrate since the White House told reporters that they would not answer any questions. However, the First Lady (despite announcements that she would avoid discussion of human rights) did call for respect for freedom of speech and other rights.

Source: Salon

135 thoughts on “Yes We Can: United States Declared “Enemy of the Internet” With Iran, North Korea, and Other Bad Actors”

  2. AY – showing or going after an IP address would violate all the terms of civility that Prof. Turley has set up. If I were you, I would not even start to consider it. It could end badly for you.

  5. Max-1,

    Just read about carter still using snail mail…. Because he doesn’t trust the NSA…

  6. Define serenity…. God grant me the serenity to piss off those I can…. The ablity to manipulate those I can…. And the wisdom to ignore what I can’t comprehend…. Is that your mantra Nick?

    Serenity now…..

  7. I hope we’ve all called our Representative regarding this…
    … On their watch, spies everywhere.

  11. On the souls of both my children, I am not dagda. Can folks please get out of that loop and get substantive for chrissake. I am ALWAYS nick spinelli, NEVER anyone else.

  13. dagda,

    In Which your perception could be altered by the smog and shrooms…..

  14. dagda, May I suggest you not get in tit for tats w/ the baiters. It’s tough, I know. But it just leads to the gutter.

  15. Well Nick… Apathy for all appears to be the solemn vow or oath you and your pledge brothers took….. Or was that empathy for none…. Hard to tell….

  17. From “dagda”: “She is fair game”

    And a good distraction for some.

  19. Oh…. Give me a viola so so I can have it played while I drink my vino and show appropriate apathy for all…

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