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ACLU The ACLU is the American Civil Liberties Union. Its charter is to protect American constitutional rights even when everyone else is asleep at the political switch. You may not always agree with the ACLU, but I guarantee that you will always have an opinion. Its Web site contains speeches, publications, reports, legislative alerts, Supreme Court filings, and other information from the land of the generally free and occasionally brave. Web: Amnesty International Amnesty International is an international organization dedicated to three main principles: (1) the release of prisoners of conscience, (2) prompt and fair trials for political prisoners, and (3) opposition to torture, the death penalty and other inhumane treatment of prisoners. Although your neighborhood may be relatively quiet, there is still unrest in much of the world and more than a few people in authority who aren't very nice. Web: Banned Books The only thing worse than a banned book is two banned books. Unfortunately, banning books did not die out with Hitler and the Nazis. Today, even in the U.S., there are still people who are trying to ban books that challenge their particular political and social agendas. Find out more about it on the Net. You will be surprised how many books have been banned over the years. Moreover, since you are on the Net where everything can be linked to something else, you can not only learn about the banned books, you can, in many cases, read them on your own screen, in the privacy of your own home. Web:
Censorship of the Internet Traditionally, the Net has been without organized censorship. There has, of course, always been censorship. However, it is at the local level. Now that the Net has become an important and prominent part of our global culture, there are those who would love to impose their will on everyone else by fiat. Here are some Web sites that will keep you up to date on what is happening on the Net censorship-wise. Web:
Censorship Talk and General Discussion The antidote to censorship is free and open discussion. That is what this Usenet group is devoted to: a frank discussion of censorship and current events. Hint: If you want to participate, be prepared to argue. Usenet:
Censorware At first, it seemed like a good idea (to some people anyway). Instead of censoring the Net, someone could create software to block objectionable Web sites. Parents could then choose to use such software on their home computers, thereby preserving their children's innocence. However, like many good ideas, this one got blown out of proportion by zealous fanatics, to the point where the Web site-blocking programs are now referred to as "censorware". The censor companies started blocking all kinds of stuff that had nothing to do with Sex, Violence and other Bad Things: there are now secret blacklists that have definite political overtones. Web:
Digital Freedom Network Because the Internet can bypass traditional means of censorship and disseminate information efficiently over wide areas, it can be a powerful medium for social change. In particular, the Net is proving to be indispensable when it comes to freedom. The Digital Freedom Network (DFN) uses the Internet to promote human rights around the world. If you are interested in learning how the newest technology of the Information Age is being used for activism, start here. Web: Flag Burning In the United States, the issue of having the freedom to burn the flag is so emotional as to be almost incomprehensible to people in other countries. In some countries, no one would dare even think about burning a flag. In other countries, no one would be bothered. In the U.S., however, the flag is an emotionally charged icon and being able to burn it is an important freedom, almost as if America is proud of the fact that the country is so free that its people are allowed to destroy and denigrate one of its most sacred symbols. The issue, of course, is symbolic. Should a person have the right to do something that many people find offensive, even if the act poses no immediate danger to anyone? Few Americans actually want to burn a flag, but many do want to preserve the freedom to do so. If you would like to understand the issues, try this Web site. As you are reading, you can personally participate by choosing whether or not to burn a virtual flag. Web:
Freedom of Expression In my opinion, the fundamental ideas regarding freedom of expression are best expressed by the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States: "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." Although this particular quotation refers specifically to the U.S., freedom of expression is an issue all over the world. Here are some Web sites that will lead you to a great many related resources all over the Net: the law, civil liberties, censorship, government, and much more. Web:
Freedom of Information Act The United States' Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) was signed into law on July 4, 1966. The purpose of the FOIA was to establish the right of the public to obtain information from agencies of the federal government. Since then, every state has established its own laws to provide similar access to state records. In theory, the FOIA is a wonderful piece of legislation, opening the doors of the government to public scrutiny. In practice, there are problems due to inadequate funding and technical regulations. If you are interested in requesting information under the FOIA, these resources will provide you with the information you need. Web:
Freedom of Religion Almost by definition, belief in one particular religion precludes belief in another religion. Religions deal with matters of utmost importance to human beings: the existence of a supernatural being (or beings), morality and the law, what happens after death, the reasons for our existence, as well as our responsibilities toward society as a whole and toward individual people. Every religion believes that its scriptures and customs are the best (that is, true). However, history has proven over and over that when one religion dominates within a country or region, that group tends to use its power to oppress members of other religions. For this reason, the United States (and other countries) specifically enshrined in law the right for every person to practice religion (or to be without religion) as he or she sees fit. Such rights -- perhaps by their very nature -- are continually under attack, especially by those who would interpret the law to their advantage. Web:
Freedom of Speech Free speech does not mean the same to everybody. As we all find out eventually, it is often the case that my freedom ends where yours begins. For this reason, there is really no such thing as complete freedom of speech. Instead, there is only an eternal debate over what should be allowed and what should be disallowed. Although many people like to think that the idea of free speech can be considered a simple issue, there are many gray areas and, somehow, even in the United States -- where freedom of speech is guaranteed by the Constitution -- the line between right and wrong seems to always be moving. Here are a large number of free-speech-related resources on the Net. I was surprised at how much information is available. If you would like to explore the very complex concept of free speech, this is an excellent place to visit. Web:
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Gun Control Gun control -- restricting people's access to guns -- is an issue everywhere, but nowhere is the debate as disputatious as in the United States. Technically, the American debate is rooted in the language of the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed." It's easy to see how this can be interpreted two ways. If you are against gun control, you can point out that this amendment clearly enshrines the right of all Americans to "keep and bear arms". If you feel that guns should be controlled, you can argue that the amendment is irrelevant because it speaks only to the need of maintaining a "well regulated militia", and not any other uses of firearms. Web:
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Human Rights Although we talk a lot about human rights, the idea is relatively new. On December 10, 1948, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This was the first time a declaration signed by more than one country mentioned the idea of human rights by name. Think about that: it was barely half a century ago. Web:
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Liberty Web This is the place to look if you want to find out what the fanatics are doing to protect our freedom (even though, goodness knows, as one of my readers you are anything but a fanatic). Web:
Naturism and Freedom Naturism is the philosophy that it is healthy and desirable for human beings to spend a significant amount of time naked, often in the company of other people. Most of us are taught that being naked in front of other people is bad, and so we sublimate our feelings by snickering at the very idea of nudism. So when I tell you that naturists are under attack from various people and organizations, I understand if you feel like ignoring the whole thing ("Surely we have more important matters to worry about") or perhaps even make a joke ("Did you hear about the blind man at a nudist colony?"). However, when an isolated beach is closed to nudism because some local community pressure group is offended by the idea of people being allowed to be naked in a secluded area, the issue should concern all of us. Being naked -- in an appropriate place -- is a harmless activity, and the people who would deny that freedom to naturists are just as ready to deny other, more vital freedoms to you and me. In my opinion, when you hear the bell of oppression anywhere, at any time, you don't have to ask for whom it tolls. Web:
United Nations Agreements on Human Rights When it comes to freedom, some of the most important documents are those adopted by the United Nations: Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Convention Against Torture, Convention Against Genocide, Geneva Conventions, Convention on the Rights of the Child, Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, and the original 1945 Charter of the United Nations. Web:
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