Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!utgpu!utcsri!jdd
From: jdd@utcsri.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.society.futures
Subject: Re: Silly threats. Was Re: UUCP - USSR
Message-ID: <5612@utcsri.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 2-Nov-87 18:26:09 EST
Article-I.D.: utcsri.5612
Posted: Mon Nov  2 18:26:09 1987
Date-Received: Tue, 3-Nov-87 06:14:12 EST
References: <875@cod.NOSC.MIL> <8710280303.AA01116@bu-cs.BU.EDU> <1987Oct29.123647.13632@gpu.utcs.toronto.edu> <7460@boring.cwi.nl>
Reply-To: jdd@utcsri.toronto.edu.UUCP (John D. DiMarco)
Organization: CSRI, University of Toronto
Lines: 29
Summary: 


	I'm worried that a UUCP connection to the soviet union may endanger the
welfare of soviet citizens, in that they may experience persecution by the
state because of an opinion they publicize on the net. Unfortunately, 
extreme censorship is practiced in the Soviet Union, and someone who expresses
an opinion contrary to the wishes of the state is liable to be harrassed, 
fined, or even inprisoned. At best, their names will be recorded in various 
lists of 'suspected unpatriotic citizens'. This is not unfounded allegation -
I know of people who have experienced this, and I can provide some references
to books written by various Soviet (and sattelite country) emigres attesting
to this type of intellectual totalitarianism. 
	Usenet is a forum for free discussion and the posting of messages 
containing almost any opinion at all is tolerated and even encouraged. Is it
possible for the net to remain true to its ideal of openness, personal
responsibility, and freedom if a node exists where those participating in
discussions are not free to express their own opinions without governmental
persecution? 
	I myself would feel terrible if some discussion I initiated led to the
arrest and prosecution of some Soviet citizen.

John
-- 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John DiMarco              Disclaimer:   I take complete responsibility for 
                                        anything I have written above. 
jdd@csri.toronto.edu                    The University of Toronto can in no
ihnp4!utzoo!utcsri!jdd                  way be responsible for anything I say.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------