We 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
Has anyone seen that guy Paul Schulte around? I kind of miss him. 😉
I did not vote for Obama.
annie,
English translation. I prefer the Mandarin version. 🙂 Depending on the language, we are both right.
http://www.personal.psu.edu/ejp10/blogs/thinking/2008/08/peking-university-and-not-beij.html
Peking University and not Beijing University?
Anon,
Lotta’s is missed. I hope she is able to rejoin us at some point.
And you are accurate because it is coming from the Stanford site at the University. The pinyan description uses beijing.
To be more accurate, every article I’ve read regarding her speech there uses Peking University, not Beijing.
http://english.pku.edu.cn/
Still known as Peking University, go figure.
this is one where either is correct. Depends on which style of Chinese you are using. 🙂 We are both right. And I was wrong to correct your being right.
PC?!
Oh where have I heard that before? 😀
I’m not saying that there isn’t an element of hypocrisy on the part of Michelle Obama considering her husbands policies, in her scolding China for internet freedom of speech issues, but it appears that she DID speak to the issue and did not remain silent as Professor Turley suggested. Perhaps he missed the articles regarding her speech at Peking University?
annie,
To be PC that is Beijing University now. 😉
Anon
Anyone ever hear from lottakatz? Another asset lost.
http://jonathanturley.org/2013/12/29/hopes-for-the-new-year/#comment-735953
==============
Yep.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/03/21/michelle-beijing-china-visit/6685835/
In China Michelle Obama calls for universal rights.
The olde kool aid that produced Bushisms has now been spiked with nuke laced LSD.
For the life of me why do we waste time on the First Lady wore or did? For Gods sake people, our Nation, under the guidance of her husband, is keeping excellent company with Iran, China and Turkey.
Staying classy…
Anyone ever hear from lottakatz? Another asset lost.
http://jonathanturley.org/2013/12/29/hopes-for-the-new-year/#comment-735953
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-Pacific/2014/0324/What-happens-to-Chinese-activists-when-a-US-first-lady-comes-to-visit
Oh… Did what I say dagda/nick get run up the flag pole?
Reblogged this on Cold Dead Hands Days and commented:
Lovely
And it’s going to end badly for you…. That’s a promise….
Prof Turley defends the anonymity of his posters. If you were to break that, it would probably be the end of you on his site. BTW, I wouldn’t make a promise I couldn’t keep. I think threatening people probably breaks the civility rule, too. Can I suggest you dial it back a bit?
Something from my harddrive collection:
More McClellan Fall Out: I Told You So – CBS News
Jun 13, 2008 – “Apparently, an industry the very essence of which is to try to convince people that a turkey is really an eagle has a rule that condemns lying. The Public Relations Society of America …
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-flak-over-flacks/
Nick,
You are absolutely correct… I didn’t say I would or could….. But the host knows who is up to what… Just sayin…. Serenity now….. Civility blog rules ….