There Goes the Internet

[smc]

Originally Posted by parr

No,they are in the "White House",planning to control every aspect
of you're life.

Isn't it comforting that anyone, hidden by the anonymity of the Internet, can write something that reveals a complete lack of understanding of what the word "communist" means (or any other word, for that matter) and never have to suffer the consequences that would come with such ignorance in real life -- say, in a classroom.

(And before anyone complains that I'm insulting parr, read carefully and note that I have written about what parr wrote, not parr himself.)

Just want to back smc up on this. It is truly amazing how, on the Internet, people will say anything about any subject whether they know something about it or not. In the real world ideas have consequences. Without the anonymity of the Internet, these people would risk offending others, looking foolish, and subjecting themselves to possible ridicule. At least in the real world we know who we are dealing with. On here you might be anybody. I might be a 72 year old grandmother who is 5’4” and 100 lbs., dropped out of high school, and only watches Fox news. Except I’m not.

The problem often manifests itself in the form of Internet “haters.” The stereotype of the Internet Hater being a “loser living in his parent’s basement” is really pretty accurate. “Haters” typically have low self esteem, little or no real accomplishments, poor grades, difficulty in relationships, and few real friends. They often pose as “experts” in various fields in online forums where the majority of their comments are snide remarks about others--always anonymously of course. On our own “TLB” forum of course the “haters” often make insulting remarks towards other members or use language that ungenders. I believe in many cases fully aware of what they are doing. When confronted, they typically react with more attacks, often trying to “turn the tables.” The anonymity factor protects them from embarrassment, ridicule, or just simply getting their ass kicked by those they’ve insulted. There isn’t really any action that can be taken except to ban them.

Whenever I have a real discussion about serious issues I want to know who I’m dealing with--do I respect this person? Do they likely possess the knowledge they say they do? What do they look like? What is their background? And I want them to know who I am. Smc and myself both teach--in a classroom where no one is anonymous and there are rules for discussion. While those of you who post this hateful garbage to the Internet may pretend you are intelligent, successful, good looking, and a UFC fighter from behind the keyboard, I know differently.

[Trogdor]

I hope folks will be smart enough to fight this Internet ID plan.

I sure as hell don't want the government sticking its fingers into the internet where they don't belong. The internet is fine as it is, we don't need Big Brother holding our hands or cutting a steak in tiny pieces.





Plus I support Wikileaks whole heatedly.

[TracyCoxx]

Originally Posted by smc

Isn't it comforting that anyone, hidden by the anonymity of the Internet, can write something that reveals a complete lack of understanding of what the word "communist" means (or any other word, for that matter) and never have to suffer the consequences that would come with such ignorance in real life -- say, in a classroom.

It is comforting... until they have assigned you an internet ID. Then you might show up on one of BO's lists.

[Trogdor]

Originally Posted by TracyCoxx

It is comforting... until they have assigned you an internet ID. Then you might show up on one of BO's lists.

For anyone that supports internet ID's ...



And if you think internet ID's are good and fine, then I got 2 things to tell you:

1: I have a bridge in San Francisco I'm offering you cheap, with a low down payment.
2: I have a job offer as a javelin catcher for the next Olympics for you.

[smc]

Originally Posted by TracyCoxx

It is comforting... until they have assigned you an internet ID. Then you might show up on one of BO's lists.

Most of your comments aren't worth serious discourse, which is unfortunate since I have no doubt that you are an intelligent person.

[Trogdor]

Originally Posted by smc

Most of your comments aren't worth serious discourse, which is unfortunate since I have no doubt that you are an intelligent person.

I think she's putting up very intelligent comments, especially with the topic involved, internet freedom.

Some of you might think no one owns it, but think of this, other countries, like China, have a 'kill switch' and America has or is getting one. It would not be a surprise if one day, the president or someone in the military higher ups, decides , "you know, all this stuff everyone is posting up or looking for is bad for 'national security' (an excuse more used and abused than ever before, just mention those two words, and they can do whatever they want) or with their little power mongering, and boom, various parts of the internet are shut down. Joe Lieberman, the same crackpot who wants to get rid of video games, said opened that he admires the policy that China has with the internet, with it's ability to restrict it. If that little runt openly says that, imagine what the others in congress want.

This sort of power mongering has been evident throughout history. And to say that it will never happen because, "it's America!", than those people are very, very historically ignorant.

[smc]

Originally Posted by Trogdor

I think she's putting up very intelligent comments, especially with the topic involved, internet freedom.

This sort of power mongering has been evident throughout history. And to say that it will never happen because, "it's America!", than those people are very, very historically ignorant.

Serious discourse isn't rife with invective, fear-mongering analogies, and links to crackpot websites. I stand by what I wrote.

And just to be clear, I have absolutely no doubt that the U.S. government is fully capable of stripping and willing to strip away every freedom we have. I don't buy the "it will never happen because it's America" argument. But that doesn't mean I don't believe in serious discourse.

[ila]

Originally Posted by Trogdor

.....It would not be a surprise if one day, the president or someone in the military higher ups, decides , "you know, all this stuff everyone is posting up or looking for is bad for 'national security' (an excuse more used and abused than ever before, just mention those two words, and they can do whatever they want) or with their little power mongering, and boom, various parts of the internet are shut down...

Have you been reading Tom Clancy and/or Clive Cussler? The US military just does not have that kind of power or influence.

[TracyCoxx]

All it takes is for an incident to happen, such as for some whack-job gunman to gun down a congresswoman, a judge and several other people. Then the liberals start pointing fingers at Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Fox News, Sarah Palin and the Tea Party and their so called hate rhetoric before the blood even dries on the parking lot. It doesn't matter that the left spews the same hate speech. It doesn't matter that it's been much much worse in the past. And it doesn't matter one hill of beans that the gunman is a whack job who doesn't even watch the news or listen to talk radio and never mentioned any of the above right wingers in any of his rants! Because you never let a good crisis go to waste. It only goes to show how necessary it is to take away your freedoms.

[smc]

Originally Posted by TracyCoxx

All it takes is for an incident to happen, such as for some whack-job gunman to gun down a congresswoman, a judge and several other people. Then the liberals start pointing fingers at Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Fox News, Sarah Palin and the Tea Party and their so called hate rhetoric before the blood even dries on the parking lot. It doesn't matter that the left spews the same hate speech. It doesn't matter that it's been much much worse in the past. And it doesn't matter one hill of beans that the gunman is a whack job who doesn't even watch the news or listen to talk radio and never mentioned any of the above right wingers in any of his rants! Because you never let a good crisis go to waste. It only goes to show how necessary it is to take away your freedoms.

And this has what do do with the topic of this thread that you yourself started?

[Trogdor]

Originally Posted by ila

Have you been reading Tom Clancy and/or Clive Cussler? The US military just does not have that kind of power or influence.

They got the influence

[Rachel]

Originally Posted by ila

Have you been reading Tom Clancy and/or Clive Cussler? The US military just does not have that kind of power or influence.

FEMA has more power then the Military http://dmc.members.sonic.net/sentinel/gvcon6.html