Full steam ahead on Australian internet filtering

[frostedflakes]

Despite significant opposition, looks like they're still planning to push this through. Seems kind of pointless considering the bulk of illegal material is probably shared over P2P networks, and circumventing DNS filters is relatively trivial, but oh well. And I hate to bring up the slippery slope fallacy, but... it's not really a fallacy in this case, look at other countries that have implemented internet filtering schemes. It seems like invariably, content that wasn't originally supposed to be filtered ends up on the blacklists. It's a bit reassuring that they're talking about making the filtering process open and transparent, though (whether this is just lip service remains to be seen). I mean I still don't like the idea of the government having this power, but if there was public scrutiny of the block list, I think I could live with it. I just despise the idea of there being some super-secret blacklist with absolutely no oversight, such a system seems far too prone to abuse.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gSDLR6IRyBe7rlYwUIReOo2W17mg

 

[boomerang]

I mean I still don't like the idea of the government having this power, but if there was public scrutiny of the block list, I think I could live with it.

You let them do this and where does it stop? It won't stop with the internet. Put some zealots in power and there will still be public scrutiny. What will be curious is you'll find no one who agrees with the public policy, yet that policy will be the mandate of the people.

This is an inevitability in the U.S. if we continue on the road we're on. We've seen video of members of the administration calling for censure of the media.

It all seems reasonable in the beginning.

 

[Robor]

You let them do this and where does it stop? It won't stop with the internet. Put some zealots in power and there will still be public scrutiny. What will be curious is you'll find no one who agrees with the public policy, yet that policy will be the mandate of the people.

This is an inevitability in the U.S. if we continue on the road we're on. We've seen video of members of the administration calling for censure of the media.

It all seems reasonable in the beginning.

The road we're on? Come on - you know that's FUD. Fox News has deservedly been called on the carpet by the administration and other media (Jon Stewart, Colbert, etc) because they are nothing more than the mouthpiece of the GOP. Everyone knows this.

 

[RoloMather]

PRA = People's Republic of Australia

 

[spidey07]

They used to be such a free country. Look what can happen in such a short period of time. This is why we MUST stop obama and his agenda. We cannot allow ourselves to turn out like Australia, elections have consequences.

 

[Jaskalas]

They used to be such a free country. Look what can happen in such a short period of time. This is why we MUST stop obama and his agenda. We cannot allow ourselves to turn out like Australia, elections have consequences.

People can oppose government policy all they want, they'll still vote to increase its size and power just so they get more handouts. These people (ourselves included) are nothing more than slaves to a dependence.

 

[CycloWizard]

What is the benefit of filtering? I can't think of ANY. The only reason filtering would be used is to restrict the flow of information. Whoever controls the filter necessarily controls the flow of information. The "list" of filtered sites is controlled by this same group. What could possibly go wrong?

 

[piasabird]

Filtering can be kind of tricky. Good E-mail could be filtered simply because it has a list of addresses. Lots of local groups often use email groups to send out information from civic groups to churches etc.

 

[ElFenix]

What is the benefit of filtering? I can't think of ANY. The only reason filtering would be used is to restrict the flow of information. Whoever controls the filter necessarily controls the flow of information. The "list" of filtered sites is controlled by this same group. What could possibly go wrong?

but think of the children! WHY WON'T ANYONE THINK OF THE CHILDREN!!!



except you pedos, we already know you're thinking of the children and we don't like it.

 

[Malfeas]

They used to be such a free country. Look what can happen in such a short period of time. This is why we MUST stop obama and his agenda. We cannot allow ourselves to turn out like Australia, elections have consequences.

You do know it is the conservatives over there appealing for this?

 

[Robor]

You do know it is the conservatives over there appealing for this?

LOL pwned!

 

[frostedflakes]

To be fair, I think even the center left over in Australia is for this as well, it's only the far left that is opposing the new filtering system. At least this is the impression I've gotten from Australians that have been discussing the issue, I don't personally keep up much with Australian politics, so if anybody that does has more insight, please feel free to share it.

And like I said, I still don't like the idea of any filtering system, but if the process by which sites were selected to be filtered was transparent, I could probably live with it. But as I mentioned, I suspect this talk about openness and transparency is just lip service.

 

[Ausm]

They used to be such a free country. Look what can happen in such a short period of time. This is why we MUST stop obama and his agenda. We cannot allow ourselves to turn out like Australia, elections have consequences.

Actually you should be embracing President Obama because he is leaning more toward a DINO everyday.

 

[her209]

Wait, but they are providing a better and safer web surfing experience for their citizens? How can anyone be against this!?


/sarcasm

 

[CanOWorms]

They'll probably filter out any anti-monarchy websites to stifle the progressive movement. Gotta keep the peasants into the 19th century mentality.

God bless the Queen.

 

[Toastedlightly]

How will the Aussies browse /b/?

 

[CycloWizard]

LOL pwned!

Yes, obviously he was pwned because he doesn't follow every bit of your stereotype of who he should be. :cookie;

 

[BoberFett]

Actually you should be embracing President Obama because he is leaning more toward a DINO everyday.

Great, so he really is Black Bush. All the worst parts of the Republicans along with the worst parts of the Democrats.