Write Lightning is a blog from writer Deb Thompson.
Everyone is welcome here.
(Some links or topics may not be completely kid-appropriate.)
Everyone is welcome here.
(Some links or topics may not be completely kid-appropriate.)
Mon, Oct 22 2007
You got a license for that blog?
It seems that there are certain people in Italy who would like to tax blogs (and other internet sites). The Council of Ministers already approved a draft law that would put sites under the control of the Communications Authority. Parliament has yet to approve the law, but it's worrisome that there is even such a proposal on the table.
As technology makes it easier for more people on the planet to freely express themselves there are plenty of panicky control-freaks who rise up on their hind legs, ready to quash that free expression. All this sort of smackdown does is make everyone else on the planet wonder what the Italian authorities have to hide and what they're so afraid will happen when topics are open for discussion on blogs and other internet sites. You would think that leaders would learn that, throughout history, book banning has only served to hasten the likelihood that those same books will long outlive any human ruler and will be held up as treasures snatched from the fire. I'm betting that these virtual attempts at free expression will travel the same route. (Tip of the Stetson to Boing Boing for the link.)
posted at: 09:54 | category: /Writing Life | link to this entry
It seems that there are certain people in Italy who would like to tax blogs (and other internet sites). The Council of Ministers already approved a draft law that would put sites under the control of the Communications Authority. Parliament has yet to approve the law, but it's worrisome that there is even such a proposal on the table.
As technology makes it easier for more people on the planet to freely express themselves there are plenty of panicky control-freaks who rise up on their hind legs, ready to quash that free expression. All this sort of smackdown does is make everyone else on the planet wonder what the Italian authorities have to hide and what they're so afraid will happen when topics are open for discussion on blogs and other internet sites. You would think that leaders would learn that, throughout history, book banning has only served to hasten the likelihood that those same books will long outlive any human ruler and will be held up as treasures snatched from the fire. I'm betting that these virtual attempts at free expression will travel the same route. (Tip of the Stetson to Boing Boing for the link.)
posted at: 09:54 | category: /Writing Life | link to this entry
