BBC NEWS | Technology | Microsoft censors Chinese blogs
Modern times, ancient tactic.
Historically, governments have attempted to control access to the "press," to the exchange of ideas and information, as a way to control people. The press today includes the Internet, the worldwide blogging craze, Internet radio stations and email systems that can send thousands of messages per hour.
Standing at the foot of a moving mountain of information is the government of China, the most populous nation on the planet, swatting at the avalanche with a broom.
The question is not really about Google or Yahoo or Microsoft, It is a question about fear. Fear of the truth. Fear of change, of things being different than they had been. Fear of losing control and power. We cannot fight fear, for it truly is a no-thing. Fear, like darkness, is dispelled by lighting a lamp. Let us hold the people of China in Light, knowing that Truth will always find a way to shine. Of course, letters to the Chinese and other governments, flexing our economic muscles by "voting" with our purchases and travel are important efforts too. As we continue to shine light on the darkness, it will disappear into the nothingness from which it appeared.
In thinking about repression of freedom and choiuce, in China and elsewhere, I am grateful to be able to write what I want to in this blog. Freedom is precious. Perhaps Microsoft, et. al. must conform to the will of the government of China. But you and I can speak up, hold out and hold on to the truth. As Margaret Mead once said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
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