Comment by ncallaway
9 years ago
> Cloudflare is essentially performing the function of the police permitting the KKK to march, which the US constitution permits
The better analogy is that Cloudflare is performing the function of private security instead of a police force.
The United State government doesn't require any private entities to provide armed security for political groups they dislike (in fact, the US government couldn't make such a mandate as the mandate itself would fall afoul of the first amendment).
If we believe that there must be a steward of this resource that should provide this kind of service in a first amendment protected manner, then we should advocate that the government offer DDoS protection services.
I agree. As our society moves more to Internet-based communication we must consider how to preserve and apply the principles of free speech when so much of it is governed by private entities. Is free speech not a desirable trait? Is it merely something that racists exploit, and thus the move to autocratic private management is a blessing, a relief from the constitutional shackles that would compel, say, a law enforcement officer to beat back a mob intent on torching a KKK newspaper? Is that a better world?
Remember that these same principles apply to progressive views as well... which have not historically been as popular, and greatly benefited from free speech protections. I would say we would not be where we are now as a society without them.
I don't understand your downvotes. I agree with the overall point you are making. Private ownership, for better or worse, is leading to the erosion of free speech itself. Taken to its logical end, a society where everything is conducted through private enterprise is going to turn quiescent or hew to the middle at the very least.
As a brown immigrant currently living/working in the States I'm not a Nazi sympathizer by any stretch but I wanted to post in support of your broader point.
Much appreciated. I'm as Left as they come. It is a bit odd to be arguing basic free speech, Enlightenment principles in this day and age. I think we're all having an emotional moment. But it's good, it's healthy to scrutinize our beliefs and ensure they stand up to challenge. (Which is why freedom of speech is so important.)