Standing up for Internet Freedom
The recent dispute between China and Google should matter to everyone in the United States and around the world. Everyone accepts that any soveriegn nation has the right to establish their own laws and regulations. But, businesses that grow internationally have rights as well. America is the most open, inclusive, and fair place to conduct business in the world. Our international businesses deserve similar treatment from our trading partners.
The size and scope of the China market are too big to ignore and Google is gutsily taking real risk in standing up for principle. Google and other businesses should be able to engage in commerce free from discrimination or persecution. This is a critical component of community and free exchange of ideas that is denied when governments set up firewalls to free speech..
The use of twitter during the uprising in Iran made many aware for the first time of the potential for technology to aid those standing up for change. It belongs in our foreign policy discussion.
Today, Secretary Clinton is laying out the Obama administration's strategy for protecting freedom of speech and commerce in this new globalized world. America's central values of freedom of expression, assembly, association and the press are rooted in our belief that all people are born with these inalienable rights, no matter where they're born.
China provides just one example of government suppression of its own citizens' access to wide-ranging information from an uncensored Internet and the social media that are bringing the people of the world together, flattening the playing field for competition, and giving investors and entrepreneurs the confidence to engage in international commerce. It shocks the conscience that in 2010, 31% of the world's population lives under regimes that censor the Internet and as a result work against their own best interests and that of the international community.
As Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Communications, Technology and the Internet, I join in Secretary Clinton's call for governments to provide their populations open access to the media, and freedom of expression and assembly. I also want to find ways to press these nation's to work cooperatively and openly to establish the basic rules for Internet access that are fair and respectful of individuals.
The Secretary announced today a number of Department initiatives and will elevate Internet Freedom as a matter of our foreign policy. That's the right thing to do. We need to ensure that the State Department can effectively promote long-standing American values in a networked world. We need to look at what governmental, private, and foundation efforts Americans can make to advocate for the destruction of walls denying the people of the world access to each other's ideas on the Internet.
I have tracked and encouraged the development of information technologies at home and I am especially encouraged by its rise worldwide. There are now 4.6 billion mobile handsets on the planet, and 3 out of every 4 new handsets are used in the developing world. This is a powerful platform to bring information and resources to people who have historically been isolated, so they too have the chance to become active, prosperous, and engaged participants in the world community.
I will find ways to continue working with the Obama administration on this initiative and will press within the Congress to help mobilize all of our tools in favor of more open and dynamic systems of communications.
US Senator John Kerry, 1/20/2010
Even though I have not read this Article it appears absolutely and appallingly disgusting.
All the US Constitutional mandated high priority problems and concerns in our home land and including Poverty, no Jobs, inadequate and corrupt health Care Insudtry and seemingly forthcoming Legislation, many continuing Illegal and un-warranted Wars and with Torture, Illegal enactment of the Death Penalty and with a Supreme Court anti-whistleblower case in deliberation to not allow an appeal for accusation and false conviction, repeal of glass stegal, illegal and unregulated 2000 Commodity futures trading act, illegal Patriot Act, FISA Suppression, US Constitutional required Impeachment Proceedings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ecetra.
As in Haiti there is Katrina and other US many tragedies that go uncompensated and with extraordinary negligence or outright crimes, including such as much needed and well known to be needed, plenty of food, medicine and supplies in Haiti Airport and with no Distribution, only seemingly a highly forceful presense of control to prohibit distrribution and complete lack of proper and forthright preperation and leadership. Listen to todays Democracynow.org.
WHERE IS THE FULL AND COMPLETE US CONSTITUTIONAL EXPECTED, REQUIRED AND MANDATED 'FEDERAL EMPLOYEE WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION RESTORATION ENHANCEMENT ACT' WITH THE PROPER AND FORTHRIGHT EXPECTED CULTURAL CHANGE 'WE CAN BELEIVE IN' AND VERBALLY PROMISED AND SIGNED BY PRESIDENT OBAMA AND ALL PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES IN 2008!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good luck and best wishes in your attendance and with the Main Stream Media within your forthcomming attendance at the President Obama 'State of the Union' Address later this month. You may request to ask and allow President Obama to address my letter that he received from me on appx. 12/10or20/2009 that was also sent to US AG Eric HOLDER and VA Secretary Chief (General) Shensiki.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Axel
Axel V. Sabersky
January 21, 2010 10:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
I forgot to mention a most appalling and disgusting remark that there are as reported 2 million people in Hati.
THERE ARE AND AS REPORTED AT LEAST 2 MILLION MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN EVERY LARGE CITY IN OUR USA COUNTRY GOING THROUGH MANY OF THESE SAME HORRIFIC ABUSES AND THREATS THEREOF OF AND WITH A SEVERE LACK OF READILY AVAILABLE FOOD, SHELTER, CLOTHING AND EXPECTED MEDICAL HEALTH CARE!!!!!!!!!!!
January 21, 2010 10:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
ABUNDANCE OF EMPTY BUILDINGS AND HOUSES!!!!!!!!!
ABUNDANCE OF NO JOBS!!!!!!!!! ALSO, AN ABUNDANCE OF NO REAL JOBS!!!!!!!!!!!
ONLY, SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF SEEMINLGY AND UNFORTUNATELY ENDLESS AMOUNT OF DAILY NEWS REPORTS OF ABUSE, NEGLECT, HOODWINKING, LIES. DISHONESTY, ABUNDANCE OF FALSE ACCUSATIONS, PERSECUTIONS, PROSECUTIONS AND CONVICTIONS AND THREATS THEREOF FROM ALL LEVELS OF LEADERSHIP AND POWERS THEREOF.
January 21, 2010 11:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
Exclamation points and all caps? This is a quick way to label yourself a loon, no matter the importance of what you have to say.
January 21, 2010 1:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thank you for your concern and hopefully indulgence with my frustrations and within the many other formidable blog comment replies on TPM Muckracker from me.
The few Facts as I have frustratedly and again mentioned here are seemingly and factually true and correct that will hopefully lead to a forthcomming proper and forthright 'Oversight and Accountability' or at least endeavor thereof.
Your (Ad-Hominen) Loon accusation is unwarranted and un-necessary.
Also, my apologies for my not conveying my comments in a less frustrated and more educated readable and less frustrated manner of conveyance, where applicable.
Thank you.
January 21, 2010 4:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
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January 12, 2011 7:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
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March 26, 2011 11:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
My apology. There are 9 Million People in Haiti not 2 Million as I incorrectly stated. Possibly the number I incorrectly mentioned from the News report I heard may have reffered to the number of people needing and/or requiring immediate and/or direct assistance.
Also it should be noted that there has been substaintial support from many, many dedicated, brave and courageous Individuals and Organizations that have contributed and are continuing to contribute the most highly exemplary and exceptional aid and comfort that could be expected for relief.
January 21, 2010 9:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
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February 1, 2011 9:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
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February 1, 2011 9:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
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April 4, 2011 7:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Look, John... can I call you John? Let me help you out a little here. I know you're kinda skittish this week, what with the Brown bushwhack and all. Close to home, huh?! But cut through stuff like "As Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Communications, Technology and the Internet..." Oooo! Your highness! Even the Pope doesn't get that kind of lead-in. "Protector of the vassal states of Haiti and Samoa.." What? Simplify, Lancelot. Something better? Like... "I wrangle the overseas and internet panels" or "I, freedom ramrod". Like that.
And we gotta remember Hillary Clinton has run hot and cold on this internet freedom thing. Remember the Lewinsky scandal becoming Matt Drudge's blog rainmaker? Here's what Clinton said in 1998:
Media all over the country came down hard on her for that. But that was then, before internet control became all fashionable and trendy, with the ADL and even some politicians calling for "hate speech" curbs. Now, we need politicians with backbone OVER HERE to guard what freedoms we have left OVER HERE. Know what hate speech is? Any speech I don't like. Let's not go all crappy and censor the internet OVER HERE.
If the matter should come up in legislation - and we have every reason to expect it will - don't vote for it before you vote against it... or however that 2004 song and dance ran.
John: OVER HERE...
And fix your tie.
January 21, 2010 10:18 AM | Reply | Permalink
San Fernando Curt is right. For 20 years, there have been politicians floating ideas to tax the web or to deliver a fairness doctrine (censorship) to the web.
For libertarians on the right and Open source free speech advocates on the left, there are not just millions, but tens of millions of Americans that are constantly on the watch for the day that the inevitable encroachment on the freedom of the internet comes down.
Senator Kerry, when you quote our founders and our ability to show off our superiority in the free inalienable rights department to dimwits like China, put your arms down and look at the ground...
Pants on the ground, Pants on the ground, lookin' like a fool with your pants on the ground!
January 22, 2010 1:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
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February 1, 2011 9:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
With all due respect, sir (and my respect for you is immense), what we really need to be doing is catching up with China on the cyber-warfare front. The PLA has recruited a corp of the most talented hackers in China, identified through annual hacking competitions, they've given them awsome computing power and and they've unleashed them on the rest of the world's computer systems.
They hack the Pentagon, they hack our national laboratories, they hack our defense contractors, they hack the world's corporations, and, not incidentally, they hack the email accounts of Chinese dissidents. They steal billions of dollars worth of intellectual property and classified technology and ferret out information that sends human rights activists to labor camps.
Meanwhile, we stand by, helplessly tut-tutting and trying to quietly respond with underfunded, under-talented, totally ineffectual defensive efforts. What cyber warfare talent we have is too busy trying to listen in on the phone calls of terrorists in Yemen to pay attention to the real damage that the PRC brazenly inflicts upon our economy and national security.
This should be a national security priority, not the neglected orphan it is in our security budgets.
January 21, 2010 10:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yes. The China-Google dustup is, at its base, about the theft of intellectual property (source code) far more than it is about a few dissidents. That was a PR smokescreen.
Don't believe that? Google (ironic, isn't it?) the whole story and look at the list of companies whose servers were compromised.
January 21, 2010 10:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
Why decriminalize the internet purchase of medicines ? I know that would cut off a lot money from that boy's club up there, but it would save lives.
Obama = Pharma
Corporate Dems = Pharma
January 21, 2010 10:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
That should have read
Why NOT decriminalize
Did I see some new drug on T.V. that would improve my memory ? Gotta get that one. What ?
Costs $150 dollars, but "ask your doctore if it's right for you..."
In other words, do you have health insurance?
January 21, 2010 10:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
I hope you're voted out next.You are a loser and a gigolo,go wind surfing or something.
January 21, 2010 11:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
One question, Senator:
Did you roll over and concede the obviously fraudulent 2004 election so the "example" of Fallujah could be made on schedule?
http://michaelfury.wordpress.com/2008/10/21/coke-or-pepsi/
January 21, 2010 12:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks John. Always nice to hear from you. Goo gle showed integrity. How quaint. But really did you say something about a Soverign Nation? Like a nation governed by its people and not by foreign governments represented by multinational corporations? Maybe China. Certainly not the US. It was all up for sale - the Senate, the House (Price Rollback!) SCOTUS and POTUS. That landslide in '08 was not because we trusted Democrats to govern well. No. We rejected the cons in '06 and '08 so soundly that your party ended up having to fumble a supermajority to disrepresent a hypermajority of Americans and their life of death needs. Just like your party upheld all of Bush's outrages which pretty well finished off the middleclass taxpayers who supported government while their wealth was transferred to those who pay for your reelection campaigns.
Enjoy the excellent health care we bought you. Live long and prosper with the retirement program we bought you.
ps
Nothing personal John, I do not care how a man makes his living. Enjoy your new limo. It was my pleasure as a taxpayer to drive your old one. Leave the gun. Take the cannolli.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1-y9-m-CU0
January 21, 2010 12:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks for your patience and sorry for the inconvenience!
Best regards, Mary, CEO of youtube video downloader
December 16, 2010 10:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
"...businesses that grow internationally have rights as well."
Not beyond the extent of the rights granted by the nations in which they are *allowed* to do business. Don't want to do business in China? Then, don't. Don't come to the federal government looking for leverage. After all China enjoys Most Favored Nation status, right? So, why can't we trust them?
January 21, 2010 1:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dear Senator,
Thank you for defending my right to anonymously call Marsha Croakley a bigger putz than you. Her election was at least as important as your loss to Bush, and it should've been an even bigger slam dunk.
January 22, 2010 2:02 AM | Reply | Permalink
Censorship in China for internet use by it's citizens is not right. It's just another form of oppression, by the Chinese government, that it's people have to endure. I thought that you had to abide by who's ever government it maybe, to go by there policy's when doing forgein business,But I suppose it's different with the Internet, and Google being a American company also. I hope there is a sensible resolve to this matter, the China public would benefit the most with a positive outcome.
http://www.red-bluecommentary.blogspot.com
January 22, 2010 1:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
US Senator John Kerry has revealed some strong beliefs about the freedom of speech and the necessity of abolishing the censorship here. Unfortunately, there still are places in the world where people don't believes in civic rights and try to rule with a strong hand and oppression. regcure
January 26, 2011 7:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
I support google in their showdown with China's censoring and hacking email accounts. But I think the US is being just a tad hypocritical to weigh in on this issue. Not only does the USA illegally intercept communications of American citizens, they intercept and data mine from across the world. Buy a laptop case for your basic needs.,
From an old article from Privacy International:
"The U.S. National Security Agency is accused of approaching three land-line phone companies in the U.S. and collecting traffic data on millions of telephone communications for the purpose of data mining." check the michigan mortgage rates to get a good example on the upcoming series of events.
February 2, 2011 8:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
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February 2, 2011 8:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
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February 2, 2011 8:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
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April 3, 2011 1:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
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April 19, 2011 9:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
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April 25, 2011 8:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
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May 4, 2011 7:44 AM | Reply | Permalink