[Oz-envirolink] protest against Mandatory Internet Filtering

[hugh spencer]

Given the critial importance of the internet in discussing  what are going
to be some VERY politically uncomfortable issues concerened with climate
change and the related impacts on society, we have to keep the channels
clear!!

Don't let the bogeymen of child porn and terrorism blind us to the fact
that the internet is the last channel of free communication we have. We
lose it - we may die.

Hugh


ATTENTION - THE ACTIONS ARE THIS SATURDAY!!!


Dear Friend,

Apologies for this very late notice.

This e-mail is to urge you to attend the protest this coming Saturday against
the Federal Government's Mandatory Internet Filtering legislation.

If this becomes law, every time you click on a link, that URL will be compared
to a secret database in the order of 10,000 of banned sites.  This could well
slow down Internet speeds by around d86% according to one estimate.

However, I consider the real danger is that Government bureaucrats will have
the power to ban any web site they deem to be 'unwanted'.

Until now, the Internet gave ordinary people, rather than the corporate
newsmedia and wealthy well-connected lobbyists a chance to have their views
heard by the wider public.

It is one means we have to to stand up against the vested interests who are
trashing our environment, our communities and our institutions for their own
selfish ends.

If Government's have the power to arbitrarily block any web site they
deem 'unwanted' a threat, then what guarantee d we have that your web site,
set up to oppose destruction of nearby natural habitat for developers'
profits or to oppose an unjust war won't be added to that list?

This is not about protecting our children from pornography or preventing the
production and viewing of already illegal child pornography.  Other far more
effective and cheaper means to accomplish this have been proposed by
opponents of mandatory Internet Filtering and have been ignored.

It is all about secretive and unaccountable Governments in the service of the
corporate sector gaining even more control over our daily lives than they
already have.

We cannot afford to lose this fight, so please attend the protest against
Mandatory Internet Filtering in Brisbane or your closest capital city this
Saturday 13 December and stay involved an informed on this issue.

Details are:

Brisbane:
11am-3pm
Brisbane Square
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=42526399601

Melbourne:
12pm-5pm
State Library
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=46838735931

Sydney:
11am-4pm
Town Hall
Check http://www.nocensorship.info forums for Sydney updates

Adelaide:
12pm - 4pm
Parliament
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=39343300875

Hobart:
11am - 1.30pm
Parliament Lawns
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=39329861995

(from http://wearechange.org.au)

Thank you,

James Sinnamon


See also http://efa.org.au, http://wearechange.org.au,
http://nocleanfeed.com, comments against filtering on Communications Minister
Stephen Conroy's own web site overwhelmingly AGAINST Mandatory Internet
filtering.  One example:

http://www.dbcde.gov.au/communications_for_business/industry_development/digital
_economy/future_directions_blog/topics/digital_economy_benefit

I would first like to thank you for the opportunity to provide feedback, with
the additional comment that consultation is only as valuable as the
consideration it is given. That being said I must lodge yet another voice of
protest against the internet filter. I have stated to my MP (Kevin Rudd) that
the Labor Party does not have a mandate for compulsory internet filtering, he
has been manifestly unable to provide me with any statement made prior to the
election where he informed the public that all adults would have their
internet filtered. This is an attack on freedom of speech and can easily be
used to stifle debate. Before you respond that it wont be used this way, we
only have to look at the way the Labor party has already attempted to stifle
debate on this topic by classifying everyone wanting to stand up for freedom
of speech as helping child pornography, an abhorrent and patently unethical
attempt to stop debate on a vital issue to all Australians. With the Labor
policy of introducing a NBN and have touted the economic benefits of having
faster broadband. Can you then explain the logic behind introducing a filter
that will effectively eliminate any speed benefits the new network will give?
I urge you to use the money to chase after the criminals setting up these
sites. If the Government already knows who they are why are you not pursuing
them through law enforcement? To not do so is negligence on the part of the
Government. As previously stated, the Labor Party does not have a mandate for
this policy. I urge you to make filtering optional. If you do not then I will
be voting for the coalition as all people who care bout freedom of expression
must surely be contemplating.