With No 1st Amendment, Britain to Shut Down Websites Which Incite Terrorism 7/25/2005 - 836 views, 2 Comments
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It is not something which could be done in the United States, what with the First Amendment and all; and whether that is for the better or not is a debate to be had elsewhere. But the British government has announced plans to shut down websites which incite terrorism. The British government will have to “tread carefully” around issues relating to free speach, said British Home Secretary Charles Clarke, however, he explained, “I have decided that it is right to broaden the use of these powers to deal with those who foment terrorism, or seek to provoke others to commit terrorist acts. To that end, I intend to draw up a list of unacceptable behaviors that fall within those powers - for example, preaching, running Web sites or writing articles that are intended to foment or provoke terrorism.” To that end, the reports from Parliament indicate, Clarke will instruct the Foreign and Commonwealth Offices, and British intelligence agencies, to create a database containing information about people who “provoke terrorism.” In addition to using the information to shut down those who are fomenting terrorism, the British immigration services will have access to the database to make decisions as to whether to allow people in to Britain. “Where there are grounds for considering that a person has been engaged in such activities, or will do so in the U.K., exclusion will be considered. I have asked my officials together with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the intelligence agencies to establish a full database of individuals around the world who have demonstrated the relevant behaviors.” So remember, if you are thinking you’d like to live in the UK, best password-protect those anti-U.S. sentiments.
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Read more:
» Three Men Sentenced and Jailed for Using Internet Chat Website to Incite Terrorism
» Hackers, Government Unite to Take Down Terrorist Websites
» New York Times Bars British Internet Surfers from Online Article About British Terror Investigation
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There are plenty of well documented exceptions to the US 1st Amendment - and some of them should be exercised and tested (again) in the courts if necessary to shut down sites that provide terrorists with communications, recruit for their nefarious goals, and allow them to plot activities that lead to more harm to US citizens. It’s high time we stopped allowing terrorists to enjoy/abuse our freedoms while plotting to end our lives.
Comment by Jonathan Murray — 7/26/2005 @ 9:39 am
I have found that most American’s attitudes are very similar to Johnathan’s. What most people don’t realize is that terrorists are fanatical, meaning they will find a way to accomplish their goals - shutting down chat rooms and the like will barely slow them down. Meanwhile, our freedoms will have been eroded to the point that we will have few of those “freedoms” that we now enjoy left. Every tool that we give the government now to battle terrorism will only be used against us later.
Comment by fed up — 7/18/2007 @ 9:02 am