David P. Dillard wrote:

>China orders bloggers to register with government
>
>Associated Press
>Tuesday June 7, 2005
>  
>
>http://www.guardian.co.uk/china/story/0,7369,1501184,00.html
>

Actually, while we are concerned about Civil Liberties, it is only
because ICANN doesn't require valid information that China would require
people to register with the government. The mechanics are a result of
the lack of information on web site owners world-wide, though the
*reason* for the mechanics is not something many of us would agree with.

Such mechanics could actually be used for good purposes. While the
anonymity of the Chinese bloggers may be to our world's advantage, I
have to wonder at what point such mechanics will become more prevalent
in the 'Free World'. And also, there lies the question on which many
groups and individuals are considering - 'is my anonymity's value to
us/me greater than the cost of other's anonymity on us/me?'

We may well wish to look to our own personal reactions to this, and
analyze them better... I know I am doing so. But then, I do have my own
name on the domains I own, and I do not hide. But what if I had to? And
then - what about the people who send me SPAM to direct me to a website
so that they can attempt to sell me something? And why do people have to
hide?

And how long will it take for other governments to do the same, though
for different given reasons?

"Freedom of the press is limited to those who own one." — A. J. Liebling
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A.J._Liebling> (1904 - 1963)

-- 
Taran Rampersad
Presently in: Panama City, Panama
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

http://www.knowprose.com
http://www.easylum.net
http://www.digitaldivide.net/profile/Taran

"Criticize by creating." — Michelangelo

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