Webcurrents ... Today's Column ... Archive Index May 1997 Make No Law
Amendment I. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble,and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Internet censorship is on my mind today after Wired reported a poll in which 80 percent of respondents answered "yes" to: "Do you think that the government should take steps to control access to pornographic or sexually explicit material on the Internet to protect children and teens under 18 years of age?" Eee gads! Who are these people? Have they had a look at the Bill of Rights or wondered why the First Amendment is first? It's a powerful, ultimately radical idea. And it's one that's shaken our country to its core as cities ban nativity scenes while allowing Ku Klux Klan entries in parades. Freedom rings clearest when its notes are discordant and especially when they're politically incorrect. To me the beauty of the First Amendment -- "make no law" -- is its simplicity. But, like children, we can't seem to understand that "no" means "no." It's time we grew up and embraced the personal responsibilities of the hard-won freedoms we have so comfortably inherited. Parents, supervise your children. Don't turn their future over to Big Brother or the software censors just because your Day Runner is full. In technology news, Dr. Gilbert Amelio addresses developers about the future of Apple and its Mac O/S in the land of Bill. In our town, there's a photo of the mayor in the daily paper signing a declaration officially proclaiming May 17 as "March for Jesus Day". Today's outing points the way toward parental control of the Internet. www.webcurrent.com |