Greetings from the Land of the Wizards of Oz, A most interesting discussion but somehow I must be missing something. Where is the appeal to free the last person who wrote something and expressed their ideas about Biodynamics or Rudolf Steiner. What gaol are they imprisoned in Let's be honest about this the paranoia about censorship is self imposed. I personally do not see anything in any Email that I have ever seen on BDnow that could give any cause for anyone to be fearful of retribution. When fear permeates through a society as an organised act of aggression by either citizens, or the government of the day, it is only a matter of time before there is a change. The change is only going to come from maintaining the right of free speech and stoutly defending that right by speaking out regardless. Even although there may be fear about what may be, the reality is that the US Government would not set up a gulag type of establishment unless there was a mass abdication of support for civil liberties throughout the whole citizenry. It may be difficult to find positives in the affairs of the US at the moment but it must be remembered that the pendulum swings, from one extreme to the other. In Australia we are going to have to face our moments of truth when our Prime Minister decides to support the American government in a war in Iraq which is against the general will of the people. then we will see what the government does to suppress free speech in Australia. Jane Sherry summed it up very well "The last time I looked, speech was still free in this country. If people of strong beliefs who work to change the world to a better and more equitable place, invoking spirit in all things on a daily basis are too scared to associate their ideas with their name, then I am greatly saddened." I am also saddened to think that the people of the nation that claims to be the leader of the free world have been cast into bondage without so much as a whimper. Anthroposophy and BD has survived through two World wars, umpteen regional wars, 44 regime changes by the US, and terrorist attacks. The teachings are still there as counsel for all. The legacy of the teachings of Rudolf Steiner does not deserve to have it's light dimmed by putting discussion underground to be discussed by a select few who regard themselves as the chosen recipients of this wisdom. Closing of the list to password members, and deleting the archival records seems to me to be a further extension of the censorship of government information. It would be a retrograde step. Regards James. R. Hedley
----- Original Message ----- From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Friday, January 10, 2003 7:30 AM Subject: Re: Personal Security vs National Security > Interesting thread, and the evolution of BDNow! continues. > > The archives are a tremendously valuable asset, and it would be a shame if > they were not made available to those who truly have an interest in BD. > The fact that anyone, with the stroke of a key can access them, can lead, > as Allan has found out, to problems. I know from personal experience that > this accessibility has limited my exchange with the group. The notion that > free speech is really 'free' is unrealistic. > > I frequent the archives often. It seems that back in the innocence of the > 90's people were more comfortable with the free exchange of ideas. The > information there is considerable and priceless (especially for those new > to BD). Seems lately there's been more 'global news' and less 'biodynamic > theory'. > > Fact is, I believe that making the archives inaccessible to search engines > is a great idea. The idea that a majority of the people in this world are > ready for the 'whole package" of Steiner and His agriculture is (again) > unrealistic. So how do we go about it? How do we promote in depth open > discussion, while making sure that only those that want it (and need it) > have access to it. > > Four years ago I didn't even now that biodynamics existed. Thanks largely > due to this forum, I exist in a different world (cosmos) now. But try to > explain this to the average joe, one must be careful..there's a lot of > ignorance and unreasonable fear in the world (especially here in the Bible > belt). > > The internet is what it is. If someone really wants to see it, and they > have the technological know how, they can access both public and private > email. You can only prevent this by using snail mail. CD's with the > archives for members of the group is a good idea. Ungoogling the archives > is another thing that would create a more comfortable atmosphere for > discussion. Actually the specter of some of the folks on the list throwing > caution to the wind is almost 'scary'. > > Do it Allan. You know it's the right thing to do. > > Most of the people reading this are lurkers. That's OK, lurking is not a > crime. People come to different lists for different reasons. How many > lurkers out there were stirring and spraying before they came to this > list? It's time for some of you to chime in. This discussion affects you > too! (c'mon just this once). > > Just one opinion, > FWIW, > > Ed > > > > > > >
