4 ms·

He wasn't defending the internet, he was fighting a hearts and minds campaign against China.

sycren 15y ago
Direct quote from linked article: "I think that the more freely information flows, the stronger the society becomes, because then citizens of countries around the world can hold their own governments accountable." He also spoke frankly about the benefits of individual freedoms when saying, "We do not seek to impose any system of government on any other nation," before adding that unrestricted access to information and political participation are not principles held by the United States but "universal rights." Read more: http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1939572,00.html#ixzz1diiu3tmz http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1939572,00.htm... While you might be right, I still read into it as a huge U-turn in thoughts and policy. I hope it will not affect the UK, but inevitably it will in some form or other.. probably as an extension to ACTA :(
- sixtofour 15y ago
  I'm sorry, I've dried out to a hard, cynical husk in my old age. Yes, he did say those things, but I still say he didn't care jack about internet freedom, these were convenient rocks to throw at China. Any rock would have sufficed. And if the administration's actions now don't reflect what was said before, it's just coincidence. Did he actually take action at any time to defend internet freedom, or did he merely speak? The administration today, and congress, are opposing internet freedom by their actions. An example for the administration is their defense of the law that says any email on an internet server older than six months is considered abandoned, and they therefore have a right to look at it without a warrant. The only thing that counts for me is action, and that only lasts until the next hostile act.
  - sycren 15y ago
    I agree with you, I meant that from outside America it just seems rather pathetic, I hope it doesn't pass. Its a bit like the UK Digital Economy act that went through in 2010 which is similar to the French HADOPI law. How is it in the public's best interest? I do find it ironic though that the US argues that the great firewall of China makes doing business with US companies difficult while supporting this bill that will do the same with local/national companies. http://www.tomshardware.com/news/Internet-China-Great-Firewall-censorship,13767.html http://www.tomshardware.com/news/Internet-China-Great-Firewa...

Direct quote from linked article: "I think that the more freely information flows, the stronger the society becomes, because then citizens of countries around the world can hold their own governments accountable." He also spoke frankly about the benefits of individual freedoms when saying, "We do not seek to impose any system of government on any other nation," before adding that unrestricted access to information and political participation are not principles held by the United States but "universal rights." Read more: http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1939572,00.html#ixzz1diiu3tmz http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1939572,00.htm... While you might be right, I still read into it as a huge U-turn in thoughts and policy. I hope it will not affect the UK, but inevitably it will in some form or other.. probably as an extension to ACTA :(

sixtofour 15y ago
I'm sorry, I've dried out to a hard, cynical husk in my old age. Yes, he did say those things, but I still say he didn't care jack about internet freedom, these were convenient rocks to throw at China. Any rock would have sufficed. And if the administration's actions now don't reflect what was said before, it's just coincidence. Did he actually take action at any time to defend internet freedom, or did he merely speak? The administration today, and congress, are opposing internet freedom by their actions. An example for the administration is their defense of the law that says any email on an internet server older than six months is considered abandoned, and they therefore have a right to look at it without a warrant. The only thing that counts for me is action, and that only lasts until the next hostile act.
- sycren 15y ago
  I agree with you, I meant that from outside America it just seems rather pathetic, I hope it doesn't pass. Its a bit like the UK Digital Economy act that went through in 2010 which is similar to the French HADOPI law. How is it in the public's best interest? I do find it ironic though that the US argues that the great firewall of China makes doing business with US companies difficult while supporting this bill that will do the same with local/national companies. http://www.tomshardware.com/news/Internet-China-Great-Firewall-censorship,13767.html http://www.tomshardware.com/news/Internet-China-Great-Firewa...