Fool's Philosophy - by Nate Bartling

Fool's Philosophy - October 2006

Bloggers under attack

October 18th 2006 13:32

CENTCOM (Wikipedia)

According to news website www.therawstory.com CENTCOM (United States Central Command) announced earlier this year that they have a team of employees who would be "engaging bloggers who are posting inaccurate or untrue information, as well as bloggers who are posting incomplete information." Personally, I find this quite worrying as according to Websters New Millenium Dictionary of English the definition of a blog is as follows:

noun
Definition: an online diary; a personal chronological log of thoughts published on a Web page; also called Weblog,

My interpretation of this is that a blog is a matter of opinion (personal chronological log of thoughts). As such I have always used my blogs to express my opinion on a variety of matters including politics. Due to the fact that my blog is a log of my thoughts, or opinion, it is possible that any of the views I have expressed could be considered 'inaccurate' or 'incomplete'. It is entirely a matter of opinion, not fact, designed to promote conversation on a given topic. Does this mean that Centcom, a branch of the US military will be 'engaging' against me? Am I some kind of 'enemy combatant' because my views conflict with that of the US government?

And its not just the US that are trying to silence our free speech, the EU are curently proposing legislation to prevent people uploading videos to personal websites without a government approved license. This legislation, while claiming to protect children from abuse and prevent the promotion of racial hatred via the internet, will be a devastating blow to truth movements worldwide.

It is well known that the 911 Truth movement has gained credibility and support largely because of the overwhelming amount of people who have viewed documentaries such as 'Loose Change' and 'Terrorstorm' through online viewing. Without such documentaries freely available online, would we have the healthy amount of skepticism regarding unanswered questions about the 9/11 tragedy? I for one, would not even be aware of the term 'False-flag terror' aside from it's definition and the use of such techniques throughout history if it wasn't for films such as 'Alex Jones' Terrorstorm'.

As a free person, living in a democracy, I feel that I have the right to express my opinion in any way I see fit, unless it causes harm to another person, and I will continue to do so until my PC is physically pryed from my hands. Even then, I'll just get another one and start again.

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82 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by Harmony Rocks

October 18th 2006 14:26

head for threads
Harmony's Forum For You
Harmony's Forum For You

Sounds like the government is putting up another smokescreen.

If your last paragraph was a petition, I'd sign it.

Comment by Gareth

October 18th 2006 19:09

Hahaha great. Its good to know im not alone. I suspect it's mostly just scare tactics. Personally, I take this kind of thing as encouragement, we (bloggers) are obviously hitting a nerve for them to be so bothered. Bush said not long ago that conspiracy theorists and political activists etc are "preventing the government from completing their agenda". Great, good work!!

Thanks for the comment.

Comment by spain01

October 18th 2006 20:20

Juan Carlos
spain again
While your'e about it
Viva l'difference
Fire News Blog
Cities dying of thirst.

Excellent post and needs more attention from the voters. We need to work together against this.

Comment by Harmony Rocks

October 18th 2006 20:22

head for threads
Harmony's Forum For You
Harmony's Forum For You

My first reaction was not that its a scare tactic as much as one to re-focus attention. If they make a big to-do about the dangers of bloggers, it'll take the focus from what they'd prefer to hide.

Comment by spain01

October 18th 2006 20:29

Juan Carlos
spain again
While your'e about it
Viva l'difference
Fire News Blog
Cities dying of thirst.

No. You should be really scared about this. More attention to this post, please bloggers. It needs more focus.

Comment by Gareth

October 18th 2006 20:32

I think its a matter of the government not wanting people to talk about these things and they're trying to scare people into shutting up. I Dont think they expected things like the 911 Truth movement to become so large and widespread and its entirely because of people blogging and uploading videos.

Thanks for the comments

Comment by spain01

October 18th 2006 20:53

Juan Carlos
spain again
While your'e about it
Viva l'difference
Fire News Blog
Cities dying of thirst.

Exactly

Comment by Cathy

October 18th 2006 21:58

Fakes Frauds Fools

Great post...its another thing to add to list following the Patriot Act. I'm with you....I'll write and speak out until they outlaw personal computers and the internet!

Comment by the best

October 18th 2006 22:01

good blog i think that your point on it is a fine one

your friend c

Comment by Gareth

October 18th 2006 22:10

Hi Cathy
Thanks for the comment
They may not have to go as far as outlawing pc's etc. If they can stop you uploading videos that are not authorized then its just a matter of time until they do the same with blogs, alternative media etc. You could end up not being able to post anything on the internet without it being approved.

Comment by spain01

October 18th 2006 23:05

Juan Carlos
spain again
While your'e about it
Viva l'difference
Fire News Blog
Cities dying of thirst.

Indeed and let me point out that blogging is the last refuge of the polemical voice that cries out against injustice and yet is not drowned out by corporate media, over-paid but poor quality journalists and the Gestapo of PC. The tradition of blogging has no equal I believe except perhaps in the publications of the 18th and early 19th Century in Europe and America when great polemicists like Murat, Danton, Franklin and others were able to publish pamphlets that cried out against iniquities in government and the mainstream press. This was the beginning of revolutions, the tearing down of the old order.

Comment by Lilla

October 18th 2006 23:17

Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald

Hello Gareth,

I'm a journalist, so don't get me started on the gagging that is currently going on throughout the world - especially throughout democracy.

I'm with you 100% and if I lost my keyboard, I would write truth on the prison wall with my faeces!

This is a serious subject and as Spain rightly says, one that must be vigilant;y censured - but without rage, please. It won't help.

Loved this post,
Thank you.
Lilla.

Comment by Johanna

October 18th 2006 23:22

PCOS Mum

What is the point in writing a blog (which an expression of your thoughts) if it's going to be censored?

Comment by Gareth

October 18th 2006 23:42

Thanks for the comments

Its good to see so many people willing to voice their opinions. The great thing about blogging is that we write about whatever we like, we have no editors, no censors and nobody to answer to. If that were to change, there would be no point.

Comment by Brenton

October 18th 2006 23:44

Dr Spin
Tales From The Other Side
Downwrite
Blip Blog
Gadget Museum

I'm guessinmg that'd be engaging those with inaccurate popular LEFT WING blogs then...

Comment by Shani

October 18th 2006 23:55

Pretty hypocritical from a country whose media is consistently delivering inaccurate, misleading and incomplete information on a daily basis. Just watch fox news for five minutes to see what I mean.

Comment by Gareth

October 18th 2006 23:57

Hi Brenton

I should assume so. If you look at centcoms website, its basically just full of stories about how appreciative the liberated iraqis are etc. and apparently somewhere on the whitehouse website it says that conspiracy theorists are 'terrorist recruiters', b ut I havent read that one myself.

Comment by Gareth

October 18th 2006 23:59

Hi Shani

Thanks for the comment

I know exactly what you mean. I watched fox news the other day for the first time and i was so appalled i felt the need to write a blog about bill o reilly and how pretentious he is.

Comment by spain01

October 19th 2006 00:01

Juan Carlos
spain again
While your'e about it
Viva l'difference
Fire News Blog
Cities dying of thirst.

The point is not that accuracy is an issue though it is an ethical impost on the blogger, nor is political leaning because voices will speak from all sides. The voices with the most authority who speak most clearly will be the ones who will be heard. To quote, “My life is nothing, my corpse will cry out from the funeral pyre and when I am dust my headstone will accuse the unjust and if I am buried in an unmarked grave my spirit will live in those who remember me and keep sacred what I have written.”

Comment by Lilla

October 19th 2006 00:02

Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald

Shani,

My advice, don't even switch the news on ... go online instead.

Sorry G.

Lilla.

Comment by Harmony Rocks

October 19th 2006 00:03

head for threads
Harmony's Forum For You
Harmony's Forum For You

It's good to know that people are aware of what's going on instead of having a "it can't happen here (again)" attitude.

Lilla dear, I'll try to find something better than feces for you; I don't like the idea of you writing with it.

Comment by Gareth

October 19th 2006 00:24

Hi Spain

All I can say is, in that case its lucky that bush seems incapable of speaking clearly. I like that quote, who said it?

Hi Lilla,

I agree totally. I tend to read news on a variety of different websites with different views and then try and make my own mind up.

Hi Harmony,

It is good to see so many people waking up. Our leaders only have the power we give them, so if everyone were to realise they are full of shit, they would have no power at all.

Thanks for all the comments

Comment by Nina

October 19th 2006 00:53

This is definitely worrying. Censoring opinion is an attack on a fundamental freedom and should be opposed on every level.

Comment by incognito

October 19th 2006 01:00

incognito

Ah the 'miserable failure' has struck again..

Blogs without opinions aren't blogs at all.

The web is such a fascinating place due to the lack of mediation, as soon as governing bodies start to regulate blogs and other forms of free media it will eventually start to lose its appeal. People like you and me will stop raising our opinions and addressing the public as we see fit. So who loses out?? We all do.

Comment by Gareth

October 19th 2006 01:08

Personally, I am against censorship altogether but thats just my opinion, but censoring the internet and the media is totally unacceptable in a supposedly free society. It reminds me of this quote (unfortunately, I cant remember who said it so if anyone knows please tell me)

"Beware he who would deny you access to information, for in his heart he dreams himself your master"

Comment by The Voices in my Head

October 19th 2006 02:25

The Voices in my Head

Gareth,
Well said...I have said it before and I will say it again, free speech? What the hell is that?

Good post..

Voices~

Comment by Bryn

October 19th 2006 02:51

Horrorphile

Word up.

Comment by The Voices in my Head

October 19th 2006 03:02

The Voices in my Head

Hmmmmmm...(ahem) Bryn? Hey, how are ya..uhmmm, are you following me? You know how I feel about that picture... here I am, sitting in the dark, and every time I turn around, you're there...and again, it scares the sh!t out of me. *smile*

Voices~

PS Come check out my title page on Muzikal Mafia...I'm curious to get your reaction to it.

Comment by Bulamakanka

October 19th 2006 05:37

Just after Christmas last I got a phone call from the Australian Federal Police.

Seems thay took exception to a story I wrote.

Freedom of speach may still be alive, but it's not too healthy.

Comment by Jessicca

October 19th 2006 06:01

Health 2 Know
Learning Something Everyday
Daily History
Malaysia Found

"Freedom of speech"

looks strong, but most of the time, the power is rather vague.

It is never easy to voice out, but this is a good post.

Comment by JakeDanger

October 19th 2006 07:57

The Matrix

The US government is using 9/11 to accomplish a de facto repeal of the First Amendment. If they succeed in doing so, the terrorists will have won their greatest victory.

Comment by Damo

October 19th 2006 08:34

For the Sake of Argument
My Apologetics

I love the last para of your blog Gareth.
One thing that I do know is that there are millions of bloggers all over the world. How is any nation going to track them all? It is to laugh.

Comment by Lilla

October 19th 2006 09:15

Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald

Garreth, thank you for your consideration, but one has to make do with what one has, espcially if it gets the truth out there, I love your concern, what do you suggest ... if all else is unavalable, which it will if 'we' the people make too much noise. I like the play possum approach better, smart critters the possums ...

Lilla.

Comment by Lilla

October 19th 2006 09:18

Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald

G,

I just checked your profile and see that you are not Australian, sorry Ithought everyone was.

Possums are these furry little creatures - like non prickly hedgehogs - and they play dead when the enemy are around.

Lilla

Comment by Gareth

October 19th 2006 11:14

Thanks for all your comments everyone.

Hi JakeDanger
You're right if people lose the right to speak their minds the terrorists will have won. Only thing is, Im starting to question who the terrorists are. Who is trying to achieve a goal by scaring people into accepting it?

Hi Damo
I think it would be virtually impossible to scan the entire internet for everyone who speaks out against them. Even if they tried to limit internet access (which they are considering at the mo) people would still find ways to get access. I think they are passing these acts out of fear, thye know they cant stop us and their scared

Hi Lilla,
If you check out my blog about Bil O'Reilly, at the bottom I have included several links to alternative news sites that print the stories stations like Fox News wont go near. I hope you find them helpful.

Comment by Howard

October 19th 2006 12:45

Real Crash

Did you hear about the FBI monitoring of lectures at UCLA in Los Angeles Calif.. They did it through David Horowitz's SAF (Students for Academic Freedom) which is an imperial police set up by Lynne Cheney and co, from ACTA, a board that gives money to colleges.
The same stuff must go on on the internet. Look what happened to Prof. Juan Cole of U of Mich, who lost his job bid for Yale, because of his blog, Informed Comment.

In Aus, it's going on, but even worse.

Comment by Gareth

October 19th 2006 12:53

Hi Howard

No. I hadnt heard about that, but I cant say it surprises me. I'll look it up now, I want to read that blog now!

thanks for the comment and the info.

Comment by Howard

October 19th 2006 13:11

Real Crash

Yeah, there's a pamph out "is joseph goebbels on your campus?"

Comment by Gareth

October 19th 2006 13:52

Thanks Howard,

I just googled this and there is a wealth of info on it.
It seems like more evidence that the authorities are becoming scared and dont want us to talk about these things. As if we pollute their propaganda by suggesting there may be another way to look at it. As I have said before it seems to me that all of these things are defensive measures, desperate attempts to maintain control because they know people are waking up to their bullshit.

Comment by Ahmed

October 19th 2006 14:07

techy.Bytes
Video Gamer Kids
Little Green Foosballs
PolyKicks
Qwerk
Cinema Three

YOu know whats really scary though? They will have their way. Oh yes, they will have their wya. Maybe not tomorrow, or the day after, but they will, in a few years time they will have sufficiently twisted the psych of the public to achieve their goals, even if blogs don't die, they will get what they want.

Comment by Gareth

October 19th 2006 14:12

Hi Ahmed

Thanks for reading and commenting.

You may be right but I certainly hope you're not. As a parent I intend to do everything in my power to make sure that doesnt happen and I personally think awareness is the key. Hasn't the world read 1984 or Brave New World?!?!

Comment by Ahmed

October 19th 2006 14:15

techy.Bytes
Video Gamer Kids
Little Green Foosballs
PolyKicks
Qwerk
Cinema Three

Yes it has

The problem is one of fear. Think about it this way, if your government really is holding information from you, if it really is, I dunno, fabricating war, or disease or famine to reach its own end (mainly to satisfy corporations that pretty much elect these governments) would you really want to know?

Comment by Gareth

October 19th 2006 14:27

Hi Ahmed,

Your point is very valid and one of the governements most powerful weapons. Personally I would want to know but I suppose it comes down to the decision of taking the 'Red Pill' or the 'Blue Pill'. Unfortunately, I think you're right that the majority of people, if given the option, would take the blue pill. Ignorance is bliss and all that.

Comment by Ahmed

October 19th 2006 14:30

techy.Bytes
Video Gamer Kids
Little Green Foosballs
PolyKicks
Qwerk
Cinema Three

Exactly, if you were being screwed over real bad and you found out, and realised that inaction was just not acceptable, would you bother acting? Youknow, your comfortable as you are, why protest?

Comment by Gareth

October 19th 2006 14:39

Personally, I would as I worry alot about the world of tomorrow. Maybe I would be alot more indifferent if i didnt have a son to worry about.
Also its easy for me to say 'Fuck the system, Im a rebel' from the comfort of your bedroom, I like to think I have the courage of my convictions but none of us can predict how we will act when in a situation such as 'room 101'.

Comment by Ahmed

October 19th 2006 14:44

techy.Bytes
Video Gamer Kids
Little Green Foosballs
PolyKicks
Qwerk
Cinema Three

Yeah, I worry about that to. I can imagine turning against the system and suffering as a result, but more realistically I see myself as just being angry and nothing else.

Comment by Gareth

October 19th 2006 14:50

I think its just a battle of information at the moment and if people like us can promote enough awareness of these matters, it may not go any further, but that is an optimistic view and takes us back to your previous point 'Do people want to know?'

Comment by Ahmed

October 19th 2006 14:52

techy.Bytes
Video Gamer Kids
Little Green Foosballs
PolyKicks
Qwerk
Cinema Three

Even if they did, would they care? If they did, and they acted upon it, whoever it is who wants to censor the internet will just find anohter more crafty way...

Comment by Gareth

October 19th 2006 14:59

theoretically its impossible for them to control the people. In the US civilians outnumber authorities such as police and military 500 to 1, but that conversation leads down a dark path. revolution very rarely makes the world a better place, it usually ends up giving us people like Hitler, Stalin and Kim Jong Il.

Comment by Ahmed

October 19th 2006 15:00

techy.Bytes
Video Gamer Kids
Little Green Foosballs
PolyKicks
Qwerk
Cinema Three

yeah it'll suck. I'll just let them twist my proverbial arm as much as possible so long as it doesn't break...

Comment by Harmony Rocks

October 19th 2006 15:01

head for threads
Harmony's Forum For You
Harmony's Forum For You

In roughly 25 hours, this post has a voter rating of 209. The numbers speak; censorship can try to invade freedom of speech, but it won't survive.

Comment by Ahmed

October 19th 2006 15:04

techy.Bytes
Video Gamer Kids
Little Green Foosballs
PolyKicks
Qwerk
Cinema Three

Numbers mean nothing, its the will to act.

Bullets change governments for sure than votes do.

Whats the point of agreeing with something, if you are unwilling to act upon it?

Comment by Gareth

October 19th 2006 15:06

yeah, I agree. i wont be fighting a revolution for anyone. the only reason for which I would fight is if my family, friends or myself are physically threatened, in that scenario i dont think its a matter of choice. i just hope it wont be too late by then.

Comment by Ahmed

October 19th 2006 15:08

techy.Bytes
Video Gamer Kids
Little Green Foosballs
PolyKicks
Qwerk
Cinema Three

Yeah, like I siad, I'll let them bend my arm so long as it doesn't break, if they go that far, well I wont have a choice no more, but it wont go that far.

Comment by Gareth

October 19th 2006 15:13

Hi Harmony and Ahmed

I hope your both right that it wont go that far and freedom of speech will never be opressed. As i said in the post I will continue to express my views until I am not physically capable of doing so. Hopefully, communication is enough to make people realise. maybe its a matter of not acting, if everyone realises the governments true motives and refuses to listen to them they would have no power.

Comment by somu

October 19th 2006 19:22

Hi all,
this is the direct link which talks EU broadcast rules
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-2407359,00.html

Comment by ThomasM

October 19th 2006 20:40

Fuel Saving Advice
Heidi's Blog

Power corrupts and absolute power...well you get the point. With the supposed death of Habeas Corpus and all the other wonderful (illegal, immoral...the list goes on) things that the Bush Administration does, this is simply another attack on people having a different opinion. It's really getting quite old, but fairly expected at this juncture. Those shocked by anything like this must be living in a cave...scratch that...Those type(s) know all too well what's up.

Blogtommy

Comment by Gareth

October 19th 2006 20:51

Hi ThomasM

Thanks for the comment.
Im not surprised that the Bush administration does things like the Military Comissions Act, but I am surprised that there has been hardly any protest against it. I live in the UK and from here it looks like the American public either isn't aware of it or just dont care. Or maybe thats just the way its portrayed in the media.

Comment by spain01

October 19th 2006 20:53

Juan Carlos
spain again
While your'e about it
Viva l'difference
Fire News Blog
Cities dying of thirst.

These are all great responses. One cannot help feeling what the Greeks must have felt when they( the Government) killed Panagoulis, the call went out in the seventies, the people went into the street and brought the American sponsored Greek Junta down.

Comment by ThomasM

October 19th 2006 20:59

Fuel Saving Advice
Heidi's Blog

Its a little of both Gareth. We do take our Democracy for granted and are arguably the most apathetic people in the world, but there's a genuine fear factor running through this type of thread. There are those willing and able to speak out for change, but they are always characterized as weak, or stupid, or liberal, or...insert your defamation here...Yes many don't care, but when it comes to the choice between caring or perhaps getting targetted, many of those who DO care, choose the former. If it weren't so sad it would be truly infuriating. As a left of center dude myself I've always shied away from those of you who have huge readerships...but am glad I've rethought that and look forward to this subscription...PEACE

blogtommy

Comment by rjcortez

October 20th 2006 04:50

I'm new to this community, and in fact this is my very first post here, so please forgive me for any breaches of etiquette here.

First of all this is a very old story. This was first reported by AFIS (American Forces Information Services) on March 26, 2006, CENTCOM Team Engages 'Bloggers'

I wasn't able to read the article referenced in the original post because the writer didn't provide a direct link and a search of www.therawstory.com was unsuccessful. However, it does appear that the site is unabashedly liberal in its bias so it wouldn't surprise me that they would 'spin' the news in this manner.

If you read the release from AFIS you will see that there isn't anything evil or bad about what they are doing. In fact many businesses, politicians and celebrities have similar programs. It predates blogging, going back to Usenet and before that with press clipping services that would allow PR representatives to respond to information in the public domain.

This blog post is a perfect example of why CENTCOM needs to pay attention to what is being posted in blogs. It's not about suppressing opinion or censorship, it's about truth and accuracy. No, I don't work for CENTCOM, in fact I'm not a fan of our government or many of it's policies. I think its important that we don't call wolf too many times. Doing so only hurts our credibility when there are serious breaches of our trust and civil rights - which there are plenty. We don't need to make up threats.

Comment by ThomasM

October 20th 2006 05:17

Fuel Saving Advice
Heidi's Blog

My guess....she spits...

reference .....ahh...f$@# it

she spits...

blogtommy

Comment by Gareth

October 20th 2006 08:21

Hi RJCortez
Thanks for the comment

I have just read the AFIS article and to be honest it doesn't really ease my concern. My problem with the CENTCOM issue is that my blogs are a matter of opinion and designed to promote conversation, CENTCOM obviously represent a very one-sided view and due to the factual nature of their website I find this deceptive. For example, there are lots of pics of US soldiers with Iraqi children and stories about how the Americans have liberated them but I cant find any information regarding the death toll of the 'War on Terror' or the effects of depleted uranium etc.

I would be happy to engage with CENTCOM employees on my blogs if they were willing to converse and debate these issues but as they state in the article "We don't go in there and get into a debate". As if they just drop in to say "Its not like that, its like this" and then refuse to discuss the point any further.

I dont think CENTCOM are about censorship, more propaganda. The EU legislation that I mention in the post, however, is undoubtedly a matter of censorship and suppressing opinion.

Comment by rjcortez

October 20th 2006 08:45

All governments use propaganda, always have, always will. That's just the nature of the beast. There is nothing inherently sinister about any one or any entity trying to put the best possible face on a situation as long as they stop short of out right lying. As long as they don't cross that line, and don't try to censor free expression then I welcome their participation. Much better than 'no comment' or being ignored completely. At least when they say something we can catch them in a lie.

I can't comment on the EU legislation without more information or a link.

Comment by Gareth

October 20th 2006 09:05

Hi RJCortez
I suppose you're right that its better than no comment, I'm just disappointed that blogs, the last bastion of truly open communication, have finally been infiltrated by the propaganda machine but I suppose it's naive to think it wasn't always so.

Here is a link to a timesonline article about the EU legislation. Its not the one I read when I wrote the blog (it was linked to the CENTCOM article but I cant find it now) but it says pretty much the same thing.

Thanks a lot for your comments, they really make me question my opinions which can only be a good thing.

Comment by Anonymous

October 21st 2006 01:12

'Censoring opinion is an attack on a fundamental freedom and should be opposed on every level.'
-Nina

... says it all for me. the key is, keep talking like nobody's listening.. if they won't listen, the voices will just get louder ........

~Lily

Comment by Lily

October 21st 2006 01:13

Ars Poetica

oops wasn't signed in...

~Lily

Comment by Gareth

October 21st 2006 11:13

Hi Lily,

Thanks for the comment.

Yes, you're right. As Stephen Hawking said "all we have to do is keep talking"

Comment by Howard

October 22nd 2006 01:43

Real Crash

You have an international system, centered in the Anglo-Feely countries, that would like to maintain its power. The problem is the system is bankrupt, it can't produce, it's insane and it's collapsing.
So you have more desperation, to maintain appearances, to lie, suppress, especially the youth, the campuses.
It's old, in the sense of the old city of Venice and the Venetian merchant empire, (see, "the Assignation" by E. A. Poe). You don't debate your opponent, you try to knife him with the silent stiletto in the shadows, either literally, or metaphorically.

Comment by Gareth

October 22nd 2006 16:58

Hi Howard.
Thanks for the comment

You are totally right. I think desperation is the key word, it seems to me that all these laws/bills that they are passing noware defensive measures because they are scared. It would appear that people are waking up to their agenda and speaking out, they are doing everything they can to scare us into not talking. They have to maintain the appearance of being in control but in reality everyone is realising they're full of shit.

Comment by Ahmed

October 22nd 2006 17:01

techy.Bytes
Video Gamer Kids
Little Green Foosballs
PolyKicks
Qwerk
Cinema Three

Gareth, your inspiring me to start up a political blog were I rant and rave to my hearts content, which isn't necessarly a good thing might I add...

Comment by Gareth

October 22nd 2006 17:06

Hi Ahmed

Yes, being a political writer is getting more dangerous by the day. But at least we'll be in room 101 together!

Thanks for the comment

Comment by Gareth

October 23rd 2006 09:01

Here is another article regarding the above mentioned EU legislation for anyone who is interested

Comment by Miss Faith

October 24th 2006 17:31

The Truth about non-Christian Religions
Who Pee'd in My Cauldron?

Yah, I'll believe it when I see it. They honestly can't police EVERYTHING and EVERYONE...
as much as they would really like to. Besides, I'd like to see them "police" my blogs....they really don't agree with my beliefs, so how could they say what I am blogging isn't correct?

Miss Faith

Comment by Anonymous

October 25th 2006 09:39

CENTCOM - How many of us are they currently trying to engage? What about those who write completely inaccurate information on their blogs that somehow support the Bush Administration? I came across a blog from this ignorant guy where he stated that Saddam wanted to take over the world and make Baghdad the capitol....I was like, huh??? CENTCOM needs to be more honest, they only want to bother bloggers who post things that go against the agenda of the Bush Administration. J.W.

Comment by Gareth

October 25th 2006 10:18

Hi Miss Faith,

I hope they cant police everyone, but the internet is obviously a double-edged sword. While it gives people like us the platform to speak it also gives people like Centcom the ability to monitor not only our actions but also our opinions. The term Thought Police springs to mind.

Hi Anonymous,

They are very one-sided and thats the problem. I like a good debate, I enjoy it when people disagree with my posts and start a discussion, I thought thats what these forums were for. But the term 'Engaging Bloggers' doesn't sound like friendly debate to me especially coming from a military dept, it suggests to me that bloggers are seen as some kind of enemy.

Thanks for the comments

Comment by Anonymous

October 25th 2006 18:56

hey gareth.
Its nice to see so many people felling strongly about these topics.I think the government are so scared, well actually i think id b right in saying they r scared, i dont think they ever expected people to think for themselves and they probably want to put on end to it...well sod off government people!Why r they in power?they havnt got a clue and they dont care about people. can i just ask, if we have to ask permission from the government to upload things then who gets to decide whats right to put on the internet, i dont think there's right or wrong just diffrence of opinion so why should they get to choose what goes on and wot doesn't?we're not the enemy, as far as i'm concerned..they are!bloggers are an enemy to them!but to us they're an enlightment, if i hadn't read your blogs and watched the videos available to us on the internet i wouldn't no about any of these things, and id carry on thinking that the government were doing their jobs well. they can take away bloggers and the internet, but too many people know and they can't stop people talking...well...give it a few years who knows!awsome page chick, sorry for babbling on i just feel quite strongly about these subjects!in the words of christian slater...TALK HARD!

Comment by Gareth

October 25th 2006 19:01

Hi Anon (I assume its Amy)

Thanks for your encouragement. Yes I think they are definitely getting scared and that in itself is a sign of guilt.
its nice to know my blogs can make a difference, imagine if everybody spoke out and questioned things.

Peace
Gareth

Comment by Anonymous

October 25th 2006 19:32

yes its amy, it wouldnt let me put my name in earlier!hope it does this time. yeah, more people should speak out and stand up then thats wen we can make a diffrence.
peace xx

Comment by Anonymous

October 25th 2006 22:01

yo dude
Adam J here.
Well said. (As usual). my thoughts on this have pretty much been covered by the comments made and by your blog. But, I'd like to underline the importance of being able to have this discussion and spread the word about the government playing on our lack of knowledge/ ignorance to carry out the most destructive, controlling and inhumane actions I can think of.
The majority may say there's nothing we can do about it. But, the government are well aware that they are here because of us and more aware of our ability to remove them, In numbers!
This is why this government are playing the "terrorism/freedom" card whenever they are questioned or threatened.
These discussions and options are crucial to educate people who are in the dark or dissmisive of any idea that the government are behind these so called terrorist attacks to stirke fear, make war and money!!
It's a pleasure to see someone so passionate about our freedom and rights. Nice one dude.
You got my vote!!!!!

Comment by Gareth

October 25th 2006 22:16

Thanks Ad,

Well said yourself. Obviously, i agree with you totally about the government playing the terrorist card whenever they sense a bit of trouble around the corner. As Keith Olbermann said "President Bush dismissed Osama bin Laden as somebody he didn’t think about—except, obviously, when elections were near."

With regards to the government only having the power bestowed on them by us, which can just as easily be taken from them by us, I will sum it up with another of my favourite quotes.

"People should not fear their governments, governments should fear their people" V, from the movie, V for vendetta.

Thanks for the comment

Comment by Anonymous

November 15th 2006 21:50

legend

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