Oh How Far We've Come - Hillary Clinton in 2010: Remarks on Internet Freedom

[XterraRob]

Read a couple of the excerpts below and overlay them with today's socio-political environment. Interesting when you compare what they were saying then, to now (now that's it's not working in their favor).

Now, in many respects, information has never been so free. There are more ways to spread more ideas to more people than at any moment in history. And even in authoritarian countries, information networks are helping people discover new facts and making governments more accountable.

During his visit to China in November, for example, President Obama held a town hall meeting with an online component to highlight the importance of the internet. In response to a question that was sent in over the internet, he defended the right of people to freely access information, and said that the more freely information flows, the stronger societies become. He spoke about how access to information helps citizens hold their own governments accountable, generates new ideas, encourages creativity and entrepreneurship. The United States belief in that ground truth is what brings me here today.

On their own, new technologies do not take sides in the struggle for freedom and progress, but the United States does. We stand for a single internet where all of humanity has equal access to knowledge and ideas. And we recognize that the world’s information infrastructure will become what we and others make of it. Now, this challenge may be new, but our responsibility to help ensure the free exchange of ideas goes back to the birth of our republic. The words of the First Amendment to our Constitution are carved in 50 tons of Tennessee marble on the front of this building. And every generation of Americans has worked to protect the values etched in that stone.

There are many other networks in the world. Some aid in the movement of people or resources, and some facilitate exchanges between individuals with the same work or interests. But the internet is a network that magnifies the power and potential of all others. And that’s why we believe it’s critical that its users are assured certain basic freedoms. Freedom of expression is first among them. This freedom is no longer defined solely by whether citizens can go into the town square and criticize their government without fear of retribution. Blogs, emails, social networks, and text messages have opened up new forums for exchanging ideas, and created new targets for censorship.

As I speak to you today, government censors somewhere are working furiously to erase my words from the records of history. But history itself has already condemned these tactics. Two months ago, I was in Germany to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. The leaders gathered at that ceremony paid tribute to the courageous men and women on the far side of that barrier who made the case against oppression by circulating small pamphlets called samizdat. Now, these leaflets questioned the claims and intentions of dictatorships in the Eastern Bloc and many people paid dearly for distributing them. But their words helped pierce the concrete and concertina wire of the Iron Curtain.

Now, just as these technologies must not be used to punish peaceful political speech, they must also not be used to persecute or silence religious minorities. Now, prayers will always travel on higher networks. But connection technologies like the internet and social networking sites should enhance individuals’ ability to worship as they see fit, come together with people of their own faith, and learn more about the beliefs of others. We must work to advance the freedom of worship online just as we do in other areas of life.

We are also supporting the development of new tools that enable citizens to exercise their rights of free expression by circumventing politically motivated censorship. We are providing funds to groups around the world to make sure that those tools get to the people who need them in local languages, and with the training they need to access the internet safely. The United States has been assisting in these efforts for some time, with a focus on implementing these programs as efficiently and effectively as possible. Both the American people and nations that censor the internet should understand that our government is committed to helping promote internet freedom.

And censorship should not be in any way accepted by any company from anywhere. And in America, American companies need to make a principled stand. This needs to be part of our national brand. I’m confident that consumers worldwide will reward companies that follow those principles.

https://web.archive.org/web/20100123.../01/135519.htm

[JimFromRaleigh1]

“ I’m confident that consumers worldwide will reward companies that follow those principles.”

So, she supports free market supply and demand.

Free market rules

[JayJ350]

The 00's outlook on the internet was such a optimistic thing with a real focus on freedom of speech being necessary to help it grow. It seems like in the 10's they took a left turn and decided to make the internet a far more closed off place where nobody can really speak freely anymore, the mega-corporations stunting it's growth.

[XterraRob]

The 00's outlook on the internet was such a optimistic thing with a real focus on freedom of speech being necessary to help it grow. It seems like in the 10's they took a left turn and decided to make the internet a far more closed off place where nobody can really speak freely anymore, the mega-corporations stunting it's growth.

Agreed, the rise of social media was key for Obama's 2012 campaign and why it was so successful, McCain couldn't keep up. Now..much different.

[4Mum69]

They are immoral, hypocritical power hungry criminals and they will say and do whatever they have to.

The average liberal is such a stupid idiot and so consumed by jealousy and hatred that he will just go along with whatever results in the most destruction and dismay for his enemies and the people he resents.

These are not your countrymen and they wish to do you harm. Always remember this

[Mountaineer92]

it all changed with wikileaks and snowden. they exposed the system and now the system is in full fledge book burning mode.

[XterraRob]

it all changed with wikileaks and snowden. they exposed the system and now the system is in full fledge book burning mode.

Don't forget the Panama Papers, they came out FAR, FAR too early.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panama_Papers

[XterraRob]

Bump.

[ItsWhatIDo]

OP posts a “call to arms” thread for January 6th but claims internet is not free. Only a matter of time until they are knocking.

[JimFromRaleigh1]

Muh 1a?

[XterraRob]

OP posts a “call to arms” thread for January 6th but claims internet is not free. Only a matter of time until they are knocking.

Please cite where I said this, thank you.