Can The Government Stop Free Speech?

Jim O'Bryan · Post by **Jim O'Bryan** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 1:31 pm

Valerie

We should take this elsewhere as we have drifted.

The facts on the mayoral debacle was that the banks, CEI, and the PD. Big business with the push from CEI decided that it was against their rates for the city to own a power company. The fact is that little power company offers residents some of the lowest rates anywhere.

As for flip flopping, i consider this a blessing, especially since GWB! I think it is refreshing that a politician can think and change his views. I know I have changed views on major issues in my life.

If it is done for votes as you suggest I would see that as a major character flaw. But I have not witnessed that.

But as he did when he was mayor, and now as congressman, he has put his entire career on the line. The biggest complaint that Barbara Ferris had with Congressman Kucinich was that he was on the presidential campaign, and ignoring the 10th district. Certainly the man is smart enough to realize this would be the drum beat again, when he took up the campaign.

FWIW

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Tim Carroll · Post by **Tim Carroll** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 1:33 pm

Jim,

Your original premise about the state looking to limiting free speech on blogs and discussion boards was a little vague, can you expand on which state you are referring or perhaps a link as to what brought about your FWIW?

Tim

Jim O'Bryan · Post by **Jim O'Bryan** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 1:38 pm

TIM CARROLL wrote:Jim,

Your original premise about the state looking to limiting free speech on blogs and discussion boards was a little vague, can you expand on which state you are referring or perhaps a link as to what brought about your FWIW?

Tim

Tim

This was a discussion with the Department of Commerce through the state of Ohio. It seemed to me to seem way over reaching. Free speech seemed to me to be free. Why would the state need to know information about people posting under non-real names, or for that matter real names.

Again we seemed to clear the bar as we only allow real names. But for them to want to know who posts what seems to be against the concept of free speech. As we have a way to vet names, there seemed to be little interest in the LO. When I asked where this originated from I was told the governor's office.

That is about all I know, though we are working on the story.

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Valerie Molinski · Post by **Valerie Molinski** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 1:45 pm

Jim O'Bryan wrote:

This was a discussion with the Department of Commerce through the state of Ohio. It seemed to me to seem way over reaching. Free speech seemed to me to be free. Why would the state need to know information about people posting under non-real names, or for that matter real names.

Back to the OT at hand... wow, big brother is watching. I would be fully against any type of legislation or moves to this end.

Jim O'Bryan · Post by **Jim O'Bryan** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 1:51 pm

Valerie Molinski wrote:
Back to the OT at hand... wow, big brother is watching. I would be fully against any type of legislation or moves to this end.

I think all of us realize there is no way to "hide" on the net. IP Adresses, among other things make recognition pretty easy. We used to make a game out of it before. Even with word recognition it was easy to put names to ids. But the NSA can even do a better job.

Who knows the end game, taxes, income, whatever. I know they lightened on us, when they realized we were real names. Maybe someone has their panties in a bind over being attacked somewhere. Who knows. It will be interesting to see what Cleveland.com does when they ask for their ip addresses. Will thy roll over, or sue the government? My bet most will roll over.

FWIW

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sharon kinsella · Post by **sharon kinsella** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 5:44 pm

Cleveland.com - Now that would be great.