PROTEST: BYU Shuts Down

Telecommunications Shout Free Speech Too!

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070507-verizon-says-phone-record-disclosure-is-protected-free-speech.html
Verizon wireless, a cellphone company is in the news because it has cases pending against it for turning over cellular phone record to government security services.

Verizon is detesting the lawsuit on the grounds of free speech and the first amendment.

The government is fighting for all telecommunications companies, ever since September 11th.

I think that in a way the cell phone company has a right to do this but shouldn't their be some kind of contract between the cellphone company and the customer to release personal information.

We all have seen cases where the police have used cellphones to solve a crime because they had the phone records given to them by the phone company. Then again if there is no wrong doing people still have the right to their privacy.

Even the Police Have to Follow Certain Guidelines

Two Topeka police officers who were disciplined for statements made in e-mails and in a letter to a newspaper have lost a lawsuit claiming that the city of Topeka and a former police chief breached their right to free speech.

A federal judge on Friday dismissed the lawsuit filed by officer Ken Eaton and former officer George Campbell against the city and former Chief Steve Harsha.
U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson wrote Friday that the city had the right to discipline Eaton and Campbell, who are white, for statements that the city deemed racially insensitive to Glenda Overstreet, president of the Topeka branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
Read the whole story:http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2007/may/06/police_officers_lose_lawsuit_claiming_free_speech_/
This case is just another one of those I said what I felt at the time, I hope I don't get in trouble kind of situations. I really don't have sympathy for anyone that makes racial comments intentionally about any group of people. So, to me these police officers really got a smack on the hand nothing really major. But they want to file a lawsuit...mmm

Did You Know?

Did you know that if you write something that may be offensive or harmful to someone in a school essay you could be subjected to 30 days in jail and a $1,500 fine.

Last Monday a student at Cary-Grove High School, Allen Lee was asked by one of his teachers to write an essay expressing his feelings and emotions about a certain topic. The instructor felt that it was violent and although it was not directed to any specific person she felt the need to tell the administration from there the teen was arrested and was told to take classes elsewhere.

This is absurd, I can't believe this story. Ever since the V-Tech situation schools and their policies are becoming stricter and trying to take precaution in a way that is so ridiculous. So, I can write anything for school as long as its not violent??? I probably will use this the next time a teacher asks me to write a essay about a topic of my choice. (Just kidding Dr. Fallon)

But this makes you wonder if you are going to be careful about students are writing in classes you might as well show your concern in other areas too like what they watch on television, what they hear in music, what they read in books. Isn't war violent... don't we hear about it everyday... what makes people think that doesn't influence a young mind?

I don't know should we censor everything and try to establish peace between mankind? (A thought... sounds good.)

For more on this story visit:http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/04/28/america/NA-GEN-US-Student-Essay-Arrest.php

Known to be a Vodka Drinker, but also Remebered for Eliminating Censorship

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/24/world/europe/24yeltsin.html?pagewanted=3&ei=5087%0A&em&en=82990e7d30077996&ex=1177646400

On Monday April 23, former Russian President Boris Yeltsin died in Moscow. Yeltsin was having severe health problems and excessive fondness to alcohol.

He will be best remembered by the efforts he made to make Russia a democratic country, instead of continuing the communist rule over the people. He did in fact eliminate censorship of the news media, tolerated public criticism and steered Russia toward a free market.

His leadership was erratic and often crude, and as a democrat he often ruled in the manner of a czar. He showed no reluctance to use the power of the presidency to face down his opponents, as he did in 1993, when he ordered tanks to fire on a Parliament dominated by openly seditious Communists, and as he did again in 1994, when he embarked on a harsh military operation to subdue the breakaway republic of Chechnya. It began a costly and ruinous war that almost became his undoing and that was ferociously revived in 1999 and still being waged when he resigned that year.

His relationship with the United States was a complicated one. President Clinton seized on the fall of the Soviet Union as an opportunity to advance American interests, and he and Mr. Yeltsin maintained a strikingly good rapport.

Although he made some "unpopular" decisions and may not be liked because people think that during his reign he corrupted Russia's Parliament also he still made changes that not only made for the people but freed the people of Russia.

When I was seven in 1993, Yeltsin a New Constitution in Russia was approved that guaranteed private property, free enterprise and individual rights.

Of Course Goverment Officials are Good Storytellers!

http://news.yahoo.com/i/703;_ylt=AglI2UuZ.QZkUIPww2f2irALMxIF

In a recent update on the case of Army Ranger Pat Tillman, an Army Specialist was told not tell how Tillman really died.

The update concluded that Tillman was killed by his own troops gunfire, when the story first spread about Tillman's death the Government let the media and Tillman's family believe that he died of enemy fire.

"I was ordered not to tell them," U.S. Army Specialist Bryan O'Neal told the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Tillman's family said that in the beginning they would have liked the truth rather than these exaggerated stories, just to make it seem like he died in the line of duty.

To me I am glad that the O'Neal came out with the truth that way other families in the U.S. that have relatives that are in the Armed forces can see that the Government and officials that have to record such deaths don't always tell the truth.

I think this family took it kind of well in front of media considering they were lied to and thought that Pat Tillman was in a crossfire with enemy, and thought he died of a heroic act. I don't know how would feel if I were in this position but it certainly makes me think about what other important details are the Government covering up or just not revealing.

alec baldwin Degrading phone message to daughter